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First AUV launched from autonomous vessel
An underwater autonomous glider has been launched for the first time by an uncrewed surface vessel during a naval exercise in the Atlantic Ocean
A ZeroUSV Oceanus12 class unmanned surface vessel (USV) was deployed as the autonomous host platform for launching and commanding an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) during the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Bastion marine technology demonstration programme.
MSubs Group subsidiary ZeroUSV remotely controlled its vessel as the hub for a Teledyne Slocum ocean glider, which was configured with sensors for the project.
This trial demonstrated how autonomous vessels can launch and support long-endurance AUVs without the need for larger crewed ships.
Atlantic Bastion forms part of a wider UK Ministry of Defence strategy to explore how autonomous systems can support maritime security, including subsea monitoring, detecting underwater hazards to shipping, and protecting undersea infrastructure.
Two Oceanus12 USVs were deployed during the latest demonstration, which brought together several partners to determine how autonomous USVs, subsea vehicles and specialist sensors can be integrated for maritime security and subsea operations.
“For the first time, the world has seen the launching and operating of an ocean glider from an uncrewed vessel, which opens up new possibilities for persistent subsea monitoring and long-endurance operations at sea,” said ZeroUSV managing director and co-founder Matthew Ratsey.
“This ushers in a new operational model for persistent, distributed ocean data collection, directly relevant to defence intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and other naval missions, as well as commercial and scientific oceanographic applications.”
In March 2026, Teledyne Marine and MSubs formed a strategic partnership focused on integrating USVs, AUVs and advanced sensor technologies for future naval and commercial programmes.
ZeroUSV developed the Oceanus class as a modular autonomous vessel capable of supporting a wide range of sensors and subsea systems, including sonar, survey equipment and autonomous underwater vehicles.
A larger vessel, Oceanus17, is in the final stages of development and is set to be demonstrated in the UK in June 2026, offering increased payload capacity and endurance for longer missions.
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