Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Defence

SubSea Craft unveils MARS USV

British advanced maritime tech company SubSea Craft (SSC) has unveiled a new Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) capability, MARS, marking the company’s second product offering following the success of its VICTA diver delivery platform.



Image courtesy SSC

Taken from concept to on the water in only 100 days, MARS offers a low-signature, mission-configurable design to maximise autonomy, survivability and operational disruption in contested environments.

Its launch comes at a time of growing international demand for USV capabilities – something SSC has sought to respond to at pace to address the evolving requirements of the UK and its allies in distributed maritime operations.

Advertisement
Leonardo RT

MARS encompasses the latest innovations in USV technology, with multi-role applications for a variety of force objectives including:

  • Wingman support to minimise risk to manned deployments and provide a force multiplying effect at the vanguard of the fleet.
  • Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities including long-range surveillance to increase the recognised maritime picture in environments with degraded communications.
  • Multidomain payloads and modular integration, allowing for both kinetic and non-kinetic effects on target. This includes the integration of Anduril’s ALTIUS.

Following its manufacture in the UK, MARS has undergone extensive testing and validation with AUKUS partners, including open water tests with the Australian Maritime College – which signed an R&D partnership with SSC in 2023.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

The company has a growing series of multidomain platforms offering high configurability, autonomy and ease of maintenance and MARS is a continuation of this, using the same open architecture digital control system as SSC’s dual-domain craft, VICTA.

Camilla Martin, CEO of SubSea Craft, said: “There is a clear global need for the responsive development of advanced maritime platforms that can meet evolving force requirements and objectives.

“At SubSea Craft we are proud to be representing the UK on the international stage in creating scalable technologies. These can be built and serviced in-country to boost both domestic maritime capabilities and the agility of our allies.

“The development of MARS represents another milestone on our international journey. Having been developed in the UK, tested in Australia and the US, we have been able to showcase our ongoing dedication to AUKUS objectives of interoperability and technological synergy between nations.”

Penny Mordaunt, Chair of SubSea Craft and Former UK Secretary of State for Defence, said: “MARS has emerged as a disruptive force for the modern battlespace. Its successful testing following an impressive turnaround from its ideation is testament to SubSea Craft’s cutting-edge approach to accelerated research, development and delivery.”

Advertisement
Babcock LB
Avon Protection receives UK MoD respirator order for Ukraine

Defence

Avon Protection receives UK MoD respirator order for Ukraine

24 June 2025

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has placed an order worth approximately £10.2 million for Avon Protection FM50 respirators in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

NATO IT set for cloud enhancement

Defence

NATO IT set for cloud enhancement

24 June 2025

A Leidos-led modernisation initiative, involving companies from France, Germany, Italy and the UK, aims to enhance NATO's IT infrastructure.

Kraken secures investment to expand maritime systems

Defence

Kraken secures investment to expand maritime systems

24 June 2025

Kraken Technology Group, a UK-based provider of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) has secured funding commitments from major strategic investors, including the NATO Innovation Fund, the UK’s National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) and European venture capital firm Superangel, in a major boost to the company’s expansion.

Joint venture launched to deliver next gen combat aircraft

Defence

Joint venture launched to deliver next gen combat aircraft

23 June 2025

Edgewing, a joint venture bringing together international aerospace leaders BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd (Japan) has been launched to deliver next generation combat aircraft under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
IFS appoints Mark Buongiorno as President of Aerospace & Defence

Aerospace Defence

IFS appoints Mark Buongiorno as President of Aerospace & Defence

20 June 2025

IFS has announced the appointment of Mark Buongiorno as President, Aerospace & Defence.

BAE Systems partners with US Army on M109 Paladin upgrades

Defence

BAE Systems partners with US Army on M109 Paladin upgrades

19 June 2025

BAE Systems has partnered with the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM-AC) to advance the capabilities of the M109-52 Self-Propelled Howitzer prototype.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT