--- title: News | AQUA Ocean description: AQUA Ocean | --- [![Dark\_yellow-fill\_POS\_powbyFI](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Dark_yellow-fill_POS_powbyFI.png?width=350&height=49&name=Dark_yellow-fill_POS_powbyFI.png)](https://oceanautonomy.no?hsLang=en-us) - [NEWS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/news?hsLang=en-us) - ABOUT - [CLUSTER AND TEAM](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/clusterandteam?hsLang=en-us) - [MEMBERSHIP](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/membership?hsLang=en-us) - [MEMBERS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/members?hsLang=en-us) - PROJECTS - [Dark Drones](https://oceanautonomy.no/dark-drones?hsLang=en-us) - [FI Ocean Space Incubator](https://fi-nor.no/en/oceanspaceincubator/) - [Frostabåten](https://oceanautonomy.no/frostab%C3%A5ten?hsLang=en-us) - [Maritimt studentsenter Nyhavna](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/maritimt-studentsenter-nyhavna?hsLang=en-us) - [MIDAS - Mennesket i framtidens havromsoperasjoner](https://oceanautonomy.no/nb/project_midas?hsLang=en-us) - [MIDAS Academy](https://midas-academy.no/) - [ROC - Remote Operation Centres for next-generation maritime autonomy](https://oceanautonomy.no/project_roc-remote-operation-centres-for-next-generation-maritime-autonomy?hsLang=en-us) - [Strategisk forum Nyhavna](https://oceanautonomy.no/no-no/project-strategisk-forum-nyhavna?hsLang=en-us) - [Testination](https://testination.io/) - [XLRTR - Accelerate Dual-Use Technology for Multi-domain Operations](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/xlrtr?hsLang=en-us) - Completed projects - [AGATI - Adriatic Green Autonomous Transport Initiative](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_agati?hsLang=en-us) - [DIGIFJORD](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_digifjord?hsLang=en-us) - [FAST - Flexible Autonomous Smart Transport](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_fast?hsLang=en-us) - [FLEX FERRY](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_flexferry?hsLang=en-us) - [MATIN - The Croatia – Norway Marine Technology Innovation network](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_matin?hsLang=en-us) - [NEWS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/news?hsLang=en-us) - ABOUT - [CLUSTER AND TEAM](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/clusterandteam?hsLang=en-us) - [MEMBERSHIP](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/membership?hsLang=en-us) - [MEMBERS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/members?hsLang=en-us) - PROJECTS - [Dark Drones](https://oceanautonomy.no/dark-drones?hsLang=en-us) - [FI Ocean Space Incubator](https://fi-nor.no/en/oceanspaceincubator/) - [Frostabåten](https://oceanautonomy.no/frostab%C3%A5ten?hsLang=en-us) - [Maritimt studentsenter Nyhavna](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/maritimt-studentsenter-nyhavna?hsLang=en-us) - [MIDAS - Mennesket i framtidens havromsoperasjoner](https://oceanautonomy.no/nb/project_midas?hsLang=en-us) - [MIDAS Academy](https://midas-academy.no/) - [ROC - Remote Operation Centres for next-generation maritime autonomy](https://oceanautonomy.no/project_roc-remote-operation-centres-for-next-generation-maritime-autonomy?hsLang=en-us) - [Strategisk forum Nyhavna](https://oceanautonomy.no/no-no/project-strategisk-forum-nyhavna?hsLang=en-us) - [Testination](https://testination.io/) - [XLRTR - Accelerate Dual-Use Technology for Multi-domain Operations](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/xlrtr?hsLang=en-us) - Completed projects - [AGATI - Adriatic Green Autonomous Transport Initiative](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_agati?hsLang=en-us) - [DIGIFJORD](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_digifjord?hsLang=en-us) - [FAST - Flexible Autonomous Smart Transport](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_fast?hsLang=en-us) - [FLEX FERRY](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_flexferry?hsLang=en-us) - [MATIN - The Croatia – Norway Marine Technology Innovation network](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_matin?hsLang=en-us) [Get in touch](https://26558673.hs-sites-eu1.com/contactus?hsLang=en-us) Posts about # AQUA Ocean ## [ACUA Ocean and Forssea Robotics demonstrate remote subsea operations from an uncrewed vessel](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/acua-ocean-and-forssea-robotics-demonstrate-remote-subsea-operations-from-an-uncrewed-vessel) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Sep 28, 2026, 5:06:33 PM Successful trials in Plymouth show how the combination of an uncrewed surface vessel and a... [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/acua-ocean-and-forssea-robotics-demonstrate-remote-subsea-operations-from-an-uncrewed-vessel) ## [Ocean Autonomy Cluster and NORDSEC members demonstrate integrated autonomous maritime surveillance capability](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/ocean-autonomy-cluster-and-nordsec-members-demonstrate-integrated-autonomous-maritime-surveillance-capability) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Jul 22, 2026, 1:47:35 PM **Ocean Autonomy Cluster member ACUA Ocean and NORDSEC member Teledyne FLIR Defense have successfully...** [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/ocean-autonomy-cluster-and-nordsec-members-demonstrate-integrated-autonomous-maritime-surveillance-capability) ## [ACUA Ocean demonstrates 100 hours of continuous autonomous offshore operations](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/acua-ocean-demonstrates-100-hours-of-continuous-autonomous-offshore-operations) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Jul 7, 2026, 11:34:10 AM Ocean Autonomy Cluster member ACUA Ocean has successfully completed a five-day offshore... [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/acua-ocean-demonstrates-100-hours-of-continuous-autonomous-offshore-operations) ## [ACUA Ocean secures backing of UK and European Space Agency’s to develop nested maritime robotic systems](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/acua-ocean-secures-backing-of-uk-and-european-space-agencys-to-develop-nested-maritime-robotic-systems) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Oct 7, 2025, 12:53:42 PM ACUA Ocean has been awarded a European Space Agency (ESA) contract, supported by the UK Space... [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/acua-ocean-secures-backing-of-uk-and-european-space-agencys-to-develop-nested-maritime-robotic-systems) ## On the same subject ### [Breach VR: Reality is cross-platform](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/breach-vr-reality-is-cross-platform) [Aida Refvik Angell](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/aida-refvik-angell) [VR](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tag/vr), [Breach VR](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tag/breach-vr) ### [The Ocean Space Incubator in Trøndelag: Will strengthen Norway’s position in ocean space technology](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/the-ocean-space-incubator-will-strengthen-norways-position-in-ocean-space-technology) [Birgit Thorsen](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/birgit-thorsen) [Uncategorized](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tag/uncategorized) ### [Autonomimiljøet i Midt-Norge får støtte til millionprosjekt](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/autonomimiljoet-i-midt-norge-far-stotte-til-millionprosjekt) [malin](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/malin) [Uncategorized](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tag/uncategorized) ##### About Ocean Autonomy Cluster Ocean Autonomy Cluster is awarded The ECEI BRONZE Label “Striving for Cluster Excellence” [![Bronze label](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Bronze%20label.png?width=180&height=70&name=Bronze%20label.png)](https://www.cluster-analysis.org/benchmarked-clusters)   ##### Links - [NEWS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/news) - ABOUT - PROJECTS - [NEWS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/news) ##### Contact us [Frode@fi-nor.no](mailto:Frode@fi-nor.no) +47 918 45 969 Skippergata 14 - 7040 Trondheim-NORWAY [Subscribe for newsletter](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1drRpuCknT9Gj2pUOE-9pVgft8sx) ![Dark\_yellow-fill\_POS (3)](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png?width=322&height=45&name=Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png) [![FI\_logo\_stor](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/FI_logo_stor.png?width=41&height=41&name=FI_logo_stor.png)](https://fi-nor.no/) ![FI - redigert logo](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/FI%20-%20redigert%20logo.png?width=174&height=58&name=FI%20-%20redigert%20logo.png)    ©2026 Copyright . All rights reserved. [Privacy policy](https://oceanautonomy.no/privacy-policy?hsLang=en-us) - - - ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "Successful trials in Plymouth show how the combination of an uncrewed surface vessel and a remotely operated underwater vehicle can reduce costs, improve safety, and expand offshore operational windows. ACUA Ocean, a member of Ocean Autonomy Cluster, has successfully completed integration trials with French company Forssea Robotics, combining the USV Pioneer uncrewed surface vessel (USV) with the ARGOS remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The campaign marks an important step toward more autonomous, efficient, and cost-effective solutions for subsea inspection, offshore energy operations, and critical infrastructure protection. Over a three-week period in Plymouth, UK, the partners conducted more than 40 deployments of the 170 kg ARGOS ROV. Every launch, dive, and recovery operation was controlled remotely from shore, demonstrating the viability of performing advanced subsea missions without personnel offshore. The trials were carried out under a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA). The objective was to address a long-standing challenge in the offshore market: enabling reliable ROV operations from a platform capable of remaining safely on station in sea conditions that frequently interrupt conventional vessel-based operations. Operating in challenging conditions During the campaign, the integrated solution successfully completed operations in wave heights of up to two metres, with no impact on ROV performance. The team carried out inspections at depths exceeding 20 metres, surveyed seabed features, and conducted test inspections of the Poulmic wreck and a concrete target structure in Cawsand Bay. On one occasion, the system completed eight launch-and-recovery cycles in a single day, highlighting the operational efficiency of the integrated platform. Positioning and tracking were supported by Sonardyne’s Mini-Ranger 2 USBL system, enabling precise underwater navigation and station keeping even in degraded conditions. Combining endurance and precision The solution leverages the complementary strengths of both companies’ technologies. The USV Pioneer provides a stable and highly capable launch-and-recovery platform, allowing operations in sea states that often limit traditional crewed vessels. At the same time, Forssea Robotics’ compact and fully web-controlled ARGOS ROV delivers precise inspection, survey, and light intervention capabilities in a flexible, deployable package. Together, the systems operated as a single remotely supervised solution. Operations were coordinated from ACUA Ocean’s Remote Operations Centre in Plymouth, while Forssea Robotics simultaneously supervised from its headquarters in Sète, France. One of the demonstration dives was also live-streamed to the Cyber Innovation Hub of the Bundeswehr in Germany. Reducing offshore costs and risk According to ACUA Ocean CEO Neil Tinmouth, the trials demonstrate how autonomous systems can provide both operational and economic benefits. “These trials prove we can open a weather window that conventional crewed vessels cannot work in, giving operators a wider weather window for inspection campaigns. Just as importantly, running inspection campaigns from an uncrewed surface vessel takes significant cost out of the work, with fewer support vessels, fewer people offshore and far less weather-related downtime.” Forssea Robotics CEO Gautier Dreyfus described the campaign as an important milestone for both companies. “All of us at Forssea are hugely proud of this milestone and impressed by Pioneer’s sea-state capabilities. Seeing how smoothly the ROV integration and the multiple launch-and-recovery sequences went over the past few weeks was hugely satisfying. We are excited to see what comes next.” Applications across offshore energy and maritime security The integrated ROV-USV solution is aimed at offshore energy operators, subsea inspection and maintenance providers, maritime security stakeholders, and organisations responsible for protecting critical underwater infrastructure. By reducing reliance on large crewed support vessels, the technology can lower operational costs, improve safety, reduce emissions, and increase the number of days available for offshore operations. It also offers a scalable solution for inspections of wind farms, pipelines, subsea assets, and other infrastructure in remote or congested maritime environments. For Ocean Autonomy Cluster, the project highlights the value of collaboration between leading maritime technology companies. The successful integration of autonomous surface systems, underwater robotics, and remote operations demonstrates how innovative technologies can work together to deliver safer, more efficient, and more resilient offshore capabilities.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "28/09/2026", "datePublished" : "28/09/2026", "headline" : "ACUA Ocean and Forssea Robotics demonstrate remote subsea operations from an uncrewed vessel", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/ACUA%20USV%20PIONEER%20-%20ROV%20Deployment.jpg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/acua-ocean-and-forssea-robotics-demonstrate-remote-subsea-operations-from-an-uncrewed-vessel", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster member ACUA Ocean and NORDSEC member Teledyne FLIR Defense have successfully demonstrated an integrated autonomous maritime surveillance solution that combines an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) with a tethered unmanned aerial system (UAS). The demonstration, funded by UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), marks an important step towards persistent, multi-domain intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for defence and maritime security. The joint demonstration integrated Teledyne FLIR Defense's autonomous SkyCarrier™ launch and recovery platform with ACUA Ocean's Pioneer uncrewed surface vessel. The system enables the SkyRanger® R70 drone to launch, operate and recover autonomously from the remotely operated USV while remaining continuously powered through a managed tether. By removing the limitations of battery-powered drone operations, the integrated solution provides persistent aerial surveillance while extending the operational reach of the surface vessel. The combined air and surface capability is designed to support long-endurance maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions without exposing personnel to unnecessary risk. The UKDI-funded programme included two days of demonstrations for representatives from the UK Ministry of Defence and offshore industry partners. The trials validated both the technical integration and the operational performance of the combined system in challenging open-sea conditions. ACUA Ocean's Pioneer has already demonstrated its capability during multiple Royal Navy ISR and anti-submarine warfare demonstration programmes. Earlier this year, the vessel successfully operated in wave heights exceeding four metres, providing the stable platform required for continuous tethered drone operations. The integrated system addresses a growing operational requirement for persistent maritime domain awareness across defence, security and critical infrastructure protection. Potential applications include intelligence gathering, anti-submarine warfare support, mine countermeasures and surveillance of offshore assets. Securing UKDI funding for this demonstrator is a significant milestone for ACUA Ocean and for UK maritime autonomy more broadly. Integrating the SkyRanger R70 with the Pioneer creates something genuinely new: a persistent, deployable multi-domain ISR capability that the Royal Navy can put to sea today, said Neil Tinmouth, CEO of ACUA Ocean. Richard Cunha, Principal Product Director, Unmanned Aerial Systems at Teledyne FLIR Defense, highlighted the operational value of the collaboration: Pairing the SkyRanger R70 with the Pioneer Mk2's exceptional sea-keeping capability and endurance opens up a new class of persistent maritime ISR mission that simply wasn't possible before. The project was supported by UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), the UK Ministry of Defence's innovation organisation responsible for accelerating new technologies into operational defence capability. The successful demonstration illustrates how collaboration between leading autonomous systems developers can deliver integrated, multi-domain solutions for future defence and maritime security operations.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "22/07/2026", "datePublished" : "22/07/2026", "headline" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster and NORDSEC members demonstrate integrated autonomous maritime surveillance capability", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Closed%20SkyRanger%20Teledyne%20TUAS%20ACUA%20USV.jpg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/ocean-autonomy-cluster-and-nordsec-members-demonstrate-integrated-autonomous-maritime-surveillance-capability", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster member ACUA Ocean has successfully completed a five-day offshore demonstration with its Mk1 USV PIONEER, showcasing how long-endurance uncrewed surface vessels can support multiple simultaneous missions without requiring any physical intervention. Conducted off the coast of Plymouth, UK, the demonstration saw PIONEER operate continuously for more than 100 hours while carrying out hydrographic surveying and RF surveillance missions. Throughout the trial, the vessel was remotely monitored and controlled from ACUA Ocean's Remote Operating Centre, while sensor payloads were independently operated by different organisations from separate locations. A platform for multiple autonomous missions A central objective of the demonstration was to validate PIONEER as a common host platform capable of supporting multiple payloads simultaneously. During the mission, the USV successfully operated both a CommsAudit SPECTRA Super Resolution Direction Finding (SRDF) surveillance system and a multibeam echo sounder (MBES) for hydrographic survey operations. The payloads were integrated, tested and commissioned in just two days, highlighting the flexibility of the platform's modular architecture and its ability to rapidly adapt to changing operational requirements. Remote Operations Centre. Photo: Aqua Ocean Proven performance in demanding conditions Over five consecutive days at sea, PIONEER operated in temperatures exceeding 35°C, wave heights above two metres and electrical storms, all without requiring physical intervention. The demonstration also produced Admiralty chart-standard bathymetric data across large parts of the English Channel while continuously conducting passive RF surveillance and tracking multiple maritime and airborne emitters. During the trial, the vessel successfully geolocated a low-power satellite Personal Locator Beacon from approximately 22 kilometres away, identifying its position within around 20 metres before passing the information to HM Coastguard. According to ACUA Ocean, the trial demonstrates that independently developed payloads from different manufacturers can operate concurrently on the same autonomous platform without interfering with one another, enabling a flexible and scalable approach to maritime operations. Supporting the future of hybrid fleets The company believes long-endurance autonomous surface vessels can play an increasingly important role in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), hydrographic surveying, maritime security and the protection of ports, offshore energy infrastructure and other critical assets. Rather than replacing conventional crewed vessels, platforms such as PIONEER are designed to complement them by providing persistent maritime presence and multi-domain capabilities at significantly lower operating costs. USV Pioneer 5 day mission. Photo: ACUA Ocean Looking ahead The demonstration was conducted using ACUA Ocean's Mk1 PIONEER platform. The company is now developing the larger Mk2 PIONEER, scheduled to enter the water in 2027, which will offer endurance measured in weeks, a payload capacity of up to seven tonnes and expanded mission capabilities. For Ocean Autonomy Cluster, the successful demonstration illustrates how modular autonomous vessels are maturing from promising concepts into operational platforms capable of supporting a wide range of civilian, commercial and defence applications.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "07/07/2026", "datePublished" : "07/07/2026", "headline" : "ACUA Ocean demonstrates 100 hours of continuous autonomous offshore operations", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Pioneer%20with%20Comms%20Audit%20RF%20Sensors.jpg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/acua-ocean-demonstrates-100-hours-of-continuous-autonomous-offshore-operations", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "ACUA Ocean has been awarded a European Space Agency (ESA) contract, supported by the UK Space Agency, to advance their “nested robotic” system for subsea inspection, deployed from USV PIONEER. The project will accelerate ACUA’s development of Pioneer-class autonomous USV capabilities to launch and recover (LAR) remotely operated subsea vehicles (ROVs). This “nested robotics” (robot-deploying-robot) solution will expand the capabilities of uncrewed solutions for the offshore energy and subsea inspection industries. “This contract marks a significant milestone for ACUA Ocean,” said Neil Tinmouth, CEO at ACUA Ocean. “By combining subsea robotics with ACUA’s inherently stable uncrewed surface vehicle, with global, satellite-enabled control, we can provide safer, cleaner, and more cost-effective access to subsea inspection across multiple sectors.” The system will use multiple satcoms solutions along with GNSS, allowing for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) remote control, data transfer and positioning of the vessel, and subsequent remote operation of the tethered ROV. The bonding of networks will also allow the USV to utilise the bandwidth of all available connections together rather than switching, preserving C2 links even in the event of primary network degradation. These space-enabled technologies will allow PIONEER to deliver enhanced robotic services for offshore wind inspection, subsea cable maintenance, defense reconnaissance, and ocean science. The announcement of the contract comes after the recent announcement that the UK Space Agency is to join the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology by April 2026, helping to streamline support for the UK’s growing space industry. The changes will bring together the people who shape space policy and those who deliver it, cutting duplication, reducing bureaucracy and delivering greater impact for the UK space community and SMEs. Dr Shuxiu Zhang, Head of Space Applications and Data at the UK Space Agency said: “This project demonstrates how space-enabled technologies, such as satellite communications and GNSS, can transform maritime operations and deliver cross-sector impact. By supporting ACUA Ocean’s nested robotics system, we’re advancing high-impact applications that enhance safety, reduce emissions, and reinforce UK leadership in autonomous systems across maritime and aerospace. It reflects the Space Industrial Plan’s shift towards commercially driven innovation, where space capabilities catalyse growth, resilience, and national advantage beyond the space sector.” The contract follows PIONEER’s recent certification under the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Workboat Code Edition 3 Annex 2, a world-first approval for a remotely operated vessel. The new contract will accelerate commercial deployment of nested robotic systems and strengthen ACUA Ocean’s offering as a global leader in maritime autonomy. About ACUA Ocean Founded by Neil and Mike Tinmouth in 2021, ACUA Ocean is a UK-based scaleup designing and developing unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for ocean monitoring and data collection. ACUA’s autonomous systems deliver enhanced full ocean capabilities for the launch and recovery of sensor and system payloads. AQUA Ocean is member of Ocean Autonomy Cluster. Website: www.ocean.tech Contact: info@ocean.tech", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "07/10/2025", "datePublished" : "07/10/2025", "headline" : "ACUA Ocean secures backing of UK and European Space Agency’s to develop nested maritime robotic systems", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/ROV%20Deploy%203.png", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/acua-ocean-secures-backing-of-uk-and-european-space-agencys-to-develop-nested-maritime-robotic-systems", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ```