The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Teledyne Marine to improve the Royal Navy’s collection of oceanographic and environmental data using uncrewed technologies.
The agreement forms part of the Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Data Gathering (FMDG) programme and will provide additional equipment directly to Information Warfare meteorological and oceanographic (IW METOC) operators.
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Under the contract, Teledyne Marine will deliver a range of autonomous ocean observing systems, including Sentinel and Slocum gliders, APEX floats, and supporting services.
This will allow the Royal Navy to increase its use of uncrewed technologies for oceanographic data collection to support operational planning, maritime safety, and defence activities, in alignment with Atlantic Bastion.
Navy Develop hydrographic and IW METOC capability sponsor commander Mark Butcher said: “This investment in autonomous ocean sensing strengthens the Royal Navy’s ability to understand and operate in an increasingly contested North Atlantic, supporting Atlantic Bastion.
“Persistent data from systems such as these enhances our understanding of the underwater battlespace, enabling tactical exploitation of the environment and delivering the operational and information advantage commanders need.”
Teledyne Marine’s systems are set to provide long-term data collection from complex and remote locations at sea, furthering the Royal Navy’s access to environmental intelligence.
This contract continues the service’s existing use of Teledyne’s autonomous platforms and highlights an expanded role for uncrewed systems within both Royal Navy and Nato operations.
Teledyne Marine has supplied unmanned systems such as Slocum gliders, APEX floats, and Gavia autonomous platforms for the Royal Navy since 2015.
Its uncrewed technologies are also deployed by commercial and scientific groups globally for ocean observation and environmental monitoring.
Teledyne President and CEO George Bobb said: “We are proud to support the Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Data Gathering program and to contribute capabilities that deliver high-quality ocean data to enable critical defence and maritime missions.”
