Autonomous maritime systems integration demoed in AUKUS exercise

SubSea Craft and Naval Systems Inc (NSI), in partnership with Dragonfish Technical Solutions (DF), successfully demonstrated an integrated suite of advanced unmanned maritime systems during a multinational maritime exercise conducted 5–8 October off the coast of California.

At the request of the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research & Engineering (OUSW(R&E)) exercise personnel, SubSea Craft and NSI/DF combined their autonomous systems to deliver a rapidly integrated demonstration capability, pairing SubSea Craft’s MARS Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) with NSI/DF’s Arowana Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV).

Following initial planning and design, the systems were integrated, tested and successfully demonstrated within 48 hours, highlighting how new capabilities can be rapidly fielded in response to evolving operational requirements.

How rapidly integrated autonomous systems can deliver precise operational effects at extended ranges

During the exercise, the integrated MARS-Arowana capability successfully demonstrated over-the-horizon engagements against surface targets in the open ocean. Multiple NSI/DF Arowana UUVs were launched from SubSea Craft’s MARS USV to conduct simulated kinetic engagements, with repeated successful runs demonstrating the accuracy, endurance and operational potential of the combined system. The demonstration highlighted how rapidly integrated autonomous systems can deliver precise operational effects at extended ranges.

Camilla Martin, Chief Executive Officer, SubSea Craft said: “Exercises like this show the value of collaboration between innovative companies with complementary capabilities. By combining the NSI/DF Arowana UUV with SubSea Craft’s MARS and CADDIS platforms, we’ve demonstrated how modular technologies can be integrated at pace to deliver meaningful capability in response to real user requirements.”

In a second significant demonstration, SubSea Craft and NSI/DF showcased an underwater launch capability integrating the NSI Arowana UUV with SubSea Craft’s CADDIS Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), a diver-deployable platform. The concept enables divers to deploy both systems from underwater.

The CADDIS UAS (above) travels to the surface before transitioning to flight and proceeding towards a designated target, with information relayed to the Arowana UUV. Independently deployed from underwater by divers, the Arowana can then proceed towards the designated surface target.

Why a coordinated approach shows potential options for discreet maritime operations

All three technologies were selected to participate during Maritime Big Play Pacific – where autonomous marine capabilities are integrated and tested before wider adoption across the AUKUS partnership – through the US Navy BARB solicitation, which sought promising solutions for the emerging undersea warfare battlespace. The BARB assessments took place as part of the larger OUSW(R&E)-sponsored event.

This coordinated approach demonstrated the potential to deploy complementary aerial and undersea autonomous systems from a submerged starting point, expanding options for discreet maritime operations while reducing reliance on conventional surface launches.

Ed Rule, Chief Executive Officer, Naval Systems, Inc. (NSI) said: “This exercise has demonstrated the extraordinary power of commercial free enterprise when aligned with allied governments that share common purposes, values, and ideals. The pace of innovation, the quality of engineering and the ability to rapidly integrate and demonstrate advanced capabilities have been nothing short of breathtaking.”

Demonstrating the value of open and interoperable autonomous systems

The demonstrations underscored the value of open and interoperable autonomous systems and provided a practical example of how independently developed technologies can be rapidly combined to meet emerging mission requirements. By progressing from integration to operational demonstration within 48 hours, SubSea Craft and NSI/DF demonstrated how new payloads and capabilities can be incorporated quickly, accelerating the delivery of mission-ready effects to end users.

Robert Gibson, Chief Engineer and Managing Director, Dragonfish Technical Solutions, LLC, said: “Our work with SubSea Craft demonstrates what can be accomplished when complementary engineering teams unite around real-world operational requirements and deliver results at speed. In just one month, our teams completed the hardware integration, interface development, and successful testing required to rapidly integrate Arowana with the MARS and CADDIS systems.

“Just as significant is the force-multiplier potential of deploying multiple Arowana, CADDIS and MARS systems against a common target, with each vehicle approaching from a different direction. This coordinated capability offers greater operational flexibility and the potential to deliver multiple effects across a target area while complicating an adversary’s ability to respond.

“Together, these achievements demonstrate how rapid integration, adaptable unmanned platforms, and close industry collaboration can translate into meaningful advances in unmanned maritime capability.”