Teledyne Marine and M Subs Sign Strategic Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Maritime Unmanned Systems Collaboration
Teledyne Marine and M Subs have formally entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a long-term strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of advanced maritime unmanned systems for defense and commercial customers. The agreement brings together two highly complementary organizations with deep technical expertise in unmanned platforms, subsea sensing, autonomy, and mission-critical marine technologies. By aligning their capabilities, both companies intend to strengthen their ability to support the evolving requirements of the Royal Navy and to jointly pursue international naval and maritime security programs.
Leveraging Complementary Expertise for Naval and Global Programs
The strategic collaboration is designed to capitalize on the respective strengths of both organizations. Teledyne Marine is globally recognized for its leadership in unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), advanced sensors, and subsea systems, while M Subs has built a reputation in the United Kingdom as a forward-thinking innovator in marine unmanned systems and autonomous vessel integration. Through this partnership, the companies will combine vehicle platforms, autonomy frameworks, sensor payloads, and communication systems into cohesive, mission-ready solutions tailored for naval operations. The focus will extend beyond the UK market, encompassing opportunities across allied and international maritime defense sectors where integrated unmanned systems are becoming central to modern naval doctrine.
Technology Integration Across Platforms and Systems
A central pillar of the agreement involves the integration of sophisticated hardware and software systems into unified operational architectures. The collaboration covers a wide array of technologies, including vehicle platforms such as unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and long-endurance gliders. These will be combined with advanced autonomy systems capable of supporting complex, multi-domain missions. Additionally, the partnership incorporates high-performance sonar systems, acoustic communications, optical cameras, subsea lighting technologies, and ruggedized connectors designed for demanding marine environments. By bringing together these elements, Teledyne and M Subs aim to provide comprehensive solutions that enhance situational awareness, operational endurance, and mission reliability in both contested and benign maritime settings.
Demonstrated Success at REPMUS 2025
The collaboration has already moved beyond conceptual alignment into practical demonstration. Notably, Teledyne SeaBat multibeam sonar systems have been successfully integrated and demonstrated on Zero USV platforms during exercises at REPMUS 2025. REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Unmanned Systems) serves as a major international exercise focused on advancing unmanned maritime technologies through real-world trials and multinational cooperation. The successful integration of SeaBat sonar technology onto Zero USV platforms validated the interoperability and performance of combined systems in operational conditions, reinforcing the potential for rapid deployment into defense programs.
Advancing Multi-Platform Deployments in 2026
Further collaborative efforts are progressing into 2026, with the deployment of Slocum gliders and Osprey-class AUVs from Zero USV systems already underway. These activities represent a significant milestone in demonstrating multi-vehicle integration, where surface vessels act as launch, recovery, and support platforms for underwater assets. Demonstrations are scheduled in both the United Kingdom and Iceland during the first and second quarters of 2026. These trials will evaluate endurance, communication reliability, sensor performance, and mission adaptability in diverse maritime environments. The ability to seamlessly deploy and coordinate gliders and AUVs from unmanned surface platforms reflects the evolving operational model sought by modern navies, emphasizing distributed sensing, reduced human risk, and extended mission reach.
Supporting Royal Navy Initiatives and Strategic Programs
A key objective of the partnership is to strengthen support for Royal Navy initiatives, including potential cooperation on major programs such as Atlantic Bastion and Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) Block 2. These initiatives are integral to enhancing the United Kingdom’s maritime security posture and reflect a broader shift toward autonomous and semi-autonomous naval systems. By leveraging their combined UK footprint and technical expertise, Teledyne Marine and M Subs aim to contribute meaningfully to these programs. Their joint approach emphasizes high technology readiness levels, ensuring that solutions delivered to the Royal Navy are not merely experimental but operationally robust and ready for deployment.
Joint Business Development and Global Expansion
Beyond specific national programs, the Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for coordinated global business development. Both organizations will collaborate in identifying emerging opportunities in allied navies and maritime security agencies worldwide. This unified approach allows them to present integrated offerings rather than isolated subsystems, enhancing competitiveness in complex procurement environments. The partnership also strengthens their collective capacity to respond rapidly to evolving operational requirements, whether in mine countermeasures, intelligence gathering, subsea infrastructure monitoring, or environmental survey missions.
Shared Expertise Driving Innovation
The strength of the collaboration lies in the integration of Teledyne Marine’s extensive sensor and vehicle portfolio with M Subs’ agility and expertise in autonomous surface and subsurface integration. Teledyne’s long history in subsea sensing and unmanned systems provides a foundation of proven performance, while M Subs contributes innovative design approaches and flexible engineering capabilities. Together, the companies are positioned to push the boundaries of autonomy, platform interoperability, and data fusion. Their combined efforts are expected to enhance the effectiveness of unmanned maritime systems, enabling greater mission autonomy, longer operational endurance, and improved decision-making support for naval commanders.
Executive Perspectives on the Collaboration
Brian Maguire, Chief Operating Officer of Teledyne Marine and General Manager of its Vehicles division, described the agreement as a pivotal advancement in maritime technology collaboration. He emphasized that by uniting their expertise, the companies intend to deliver innovative, high-impact solutions capable of addressing the evolving needs of both UK and international defense markets. His remarks underscore the strategic intent behind the partnership: to translate technological capability into operational advantage for naval customers. Brett Phaneuf, Director of M Subs, echoed this sentiment, noting the productive working relationship established during sensor and device integration efforts. He highlighted Teledyne’s adaptability and forward-leaning approach, qualities he identified as essential when large flagship organizations collaborate with small and medium-sized enterprises to deliver national defense solutions.
Proven Track Record in Unmanned Systems Deployment
Teledyne Marine enters this collaboration with a substantial record of achievement in unmanned underwater systems. The company operates two primary production facilities in North Falmouth, Massachusetts, and Kopavogur, Iceland, supported by an extensive network of international service centers. As of January 2026, Teledyne has delivered more than 12,000 APEX profiling floats, approximately 1,275 Slocum gliders—over 600 of which have been supplied to NATO naval users—and Gavia AUV systems acquired by 18 navies worldwide. These systems are actively deployed across numerous NATO and AUKUS-aligned fleets, including operational use within the Royal Navy. This proven performance record enhances the credibility of the new collaboration and demonstrates a capacity for sustained production and lifecycle support.
Strong UK Presence and Commitment to Defense Priorities
Teledyne maintains a significant footprint within the United Kingdom, employing approximately 2,700 personnel across 18 primary sites. This established presence reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting national defense priorities with locally based expertise and manufacturing capability. Through the partnership with M Subs, this UK-based infrastructure can be further leveraged to provide integrated unmanned solutions that align with domestic industrial strategies and sovereign capability objectives. The collaboration thus strengthens not only technological integration but also industrial alignment with UK defense policy.
Driving Operationally Relevant Solutions for Defense and Commercial Markets
The strategic collaboration is structured to deliver solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also operationally relevant. High technology readiness levels remain a priority, ensuring that new systems can transition from prototype to deployment efficiently. While defense applications represent a primary focus, the technologies developed under this partnership also hold value in commercial maritime sectors, including offshore energy, subsea infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring. By addressing both defense and commercial markets, Teledyne Marine and M Subs enhance the scalability and sustainability of their joint innovation efforts.
A Forward-Looking Partnership in Maritime Autonomy
As global navies increasingly invest in autonomous capabilities to enhance maritime security and reduce operational risk, the collaboration between Teledyne Marine and M Subs positions both organizations at the forefront of this transformation. Their combined expertise in vehicles, sensors, autonomy, and integration creates a comprehensive ecosystem capable of addressing emerging challenges in undersea warfare, mine countermeasures, surveillance, and maritime domain awareness. With active demonstrations already underway and expanded trials scheduled for 2026, the partnership reflects a proactive and results-oriented approach to innovation. By uniting established global capabilities with agile UK-based engineering excellence, Teledyne Marine and M Subs are poised to shape the next generation of maritime unmanned systems for national and international customers alike.
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