The US Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has selected Kongsberg and Oceaneering International to contribute to the Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform (CAMP) programme.
The companies will focus on the rapid prototyping and deployment of extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles (XLUUVs) for future operational use by the US Navy.
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Under this project, Kongsberg and Oceaneering will concentrate on concept development, system architecture, and design studies.
Their work will place special emphasis on system modularity, interoperability between components, and rapid integration capabilities.
Kongsberg Uncrewed Platforms vice president Rich Patterson said: “Kongsberg is proud to co-lead this effort with Oceaneering, combining deep domain expertise to support the US Navy’s vision for scalable and adaptable uncrewed undersea platforms. Together, we are competing to deliver the world’s leading extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle, and I believe our partnership with Oceaneering is a key strength in achieving that goal.”
Kongsberg brings two centuries of experience in advanced maritime and undersea systems, while Oceaneering contributes six decades in subsea robotics, remote operations, and life-cycle support.
Both companies have a long history of involvement in commercial offshore and government programmes, and their combined expertise is intended to support scalable and adaptable solutions while aiming to mitigate technical and operational risks.
They are expected to deliver the vehicle design in the third quarter of this year.
Oceaneering Aerospace and Defence Technologies senior vice president Bill Merz said: “We are pleased to partner with Kongsberg on this important initiative. Our experience delivering and sustaining subsea systems globally, combined with Kongsberg’s advanced undersea technologies, has resulted in a highly capable, world-class team ready to work.”
The CAMP programme is an initiative by the US DoW aimed at quickly developing and deploying extra-large autonomous underwater vehicles (XL-AUVs).
Vendors chosen for this programme are required to develop an uncrewed underwater vehicle that can travel over 1,000 nautical miles, operate at depths greater than 200 metres, and transport payloads up to 21 feet long and 21 inches wide to the seafloor.
The system must function without GPS, feature advanced navigation and obstacle avoidance, and be capable of missions including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, bathymetric surveys, mapping, and communications.
Earlier in March, the DIU, along with the US Navy, also selected Anduril for participation in the CAMP programme. As part of that selection, Anduril is to provide an operationally representative demonstration of its Dive-XL vehicle within four months of their contract award.
