Teledyne Marine has secured a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to provide advanced autonomous ocean observing systems for the Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Data Gathering program.
The agreement includes the supply of Sentinel and Slocum gliders, APEX floats, and comprehensive support services. These technologies are designed to strengthen oceanographic and environmental data collection, directly supporting Atlantic Bastion and improving operational planning and maritime safety. The program focuses on persistent data collection from remote and complex maritime environments to provide reliable environmental intelligence.
This contract builds upon a decade-long relationship, as the Royal Navy has utilized Teledyne Slocum gliders since 2015. According to the Royal Navy’s direct award justification, Teledyne remains the only supplier able to guarantee seamless interoperability, security compliance, and mission readiness into the current fleet. Teledyne, which employs approximately 2,700 people across 18 sites in the United Kingdom, has previously supplied Gavia autonomous systems and APEX floats to meet the Navy’s monitoring requirements.
George Bobb, President and CEO of Teledyne Marine, stated, “This award reflects the Royal Navy’s continued confidence in Teledyne’s autonomous underwater vehicles and ocean observing technologies, and our established partnership in delivering proven, mission-ready solutions. We are proud to support the Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Data Gathering program and to contribute capabilities that deliver high-quality ocean data to enable critical defense and maritime missions.”
The integration of these unmanned systems aligns with the First Sea Lord’s Hybrid Navy agenda. The capability will be managed by front-line Information Warfare Meteorological and Oceanographic (IW METOC) operators.
Commander Butcher, Royal Navy, Capability Sponsor, added, “This investment in autonomous ocean sensing strengthens the Royal Navy’s ability to understand and operate in an increasingly contested North Atlantic, supporting Atlantic Bastion.
“As we take this forward under the First Sea Lord’s Hybrid Navy agenda, this capability will be delivered directly to front line Information Warfare Meteorological and Oceanographic (IW METOC) Operators. Persistent data from systems such as these enhances our understanding of the Underwater Battlespace, enabling Tactical Exploitation of the Environment and delivering the operational and information advantage Commanders need.”
Teledyne Marine has a significant global footprint in the defense sector, having delivered more than 12,000 APEX floats and 1,290 Slocum gliders. Over 600 of these systems are currently in service with NATO naval users, and Gavia AUV systems are utilized by 18 navies worldwide, including those within the AUKUS partnership.
