Oceaneering International, Inc. has announced the successful acquisition of a multi-million-dollar contract from the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop a Freedom™ Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and establish an Onshore Remote Operations Center (OROC) for the U.S. Navy. The contract, awarded to Oceaneering’s Subsea Robotics and Aerospace and Defense Technologies segments, marks a significant step in advancing the U.S. Navy’s subsea security capabilities.
The contract underscores Oceaneering’s expertise in adapting cutting-edge technology initially developed for the offshore energy sector to meet the rigorous demands of the defence industry. The Freedom™ AUV, a highly advanced subsea robotic vehicle, will be built at Oceaneering’s Morgan City, Louisiana facility, leveraging the company’s extensive experience in subsea robotics.
Peter Buchanan, Senior Director of Oceaneering’s Subsea Robotics segment, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership: “Oceaneering is proud to collaborate with the DIU and the U.S. Navy on this vital project. By utilizing commercial technology originally developed to serve the energy industry, we are now able to deliver innovative solutions to address critical subsea security needs for the Department of Defense.”
Martin McDonald, Senior Vice President of Subsea Robotics at Oceaneering, highlighted the company’s global reach and production capabilities: “Oceaneering’s worldwide presence and reliable supply chain have enabled us to maintain a remarkable 99% uptime for the world’s largest fleet of work-class subsea robotic vehicles. Our proven ability to manufacture vehicles at scale for the energy industry translates seamlessly into defence applications, reinforcing our commitment to operational excellence.”
Since 2015, Oceaneering has been conducting remote operations of commercial subsea robotic systems through its Onshore Remote Operations Centers (OROCs), amassing over 120,000 hours of remote operation experience. This new contract with the DIU will now extend this commercial capability to the U.S. Navy, further enhancing the Navy’s capacity for remote, secure, and efficient subsea operations.
The development of the Freedom™ AUV and OROC is expected to strengthen the Navy’s subsea security infrastructure, using state-of-the-art commercial technologies for military applications. Oceaneering’s longstanding leadership in subsea robotics, coupled with its advanced manufacturing capabilities, positions the company as a key player in driving the future of defence technology.
