Underwater drones: Helsing prepares acquisition of Australian AUV manufacturer Blue Ocean

The AI specialist Helsing wants to expand its portfolio with underwater drones: it is preparing to buy Blue Ocean, a company specialising in marine technology based in Bibra Lake, Australia. Its business is the design, development and operation of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV). Helsing intends to combine its artificial intelligence (AI) with the hardware and production capacity Blue Ocean brings.

The plan is to integrate Blue Ocean's team and its entire operations into Helsing. The existing offices in the United Kingdom and Australia will be retained.

Together, the two partners want to develop and mass-produce autonomous platforms that protect the underwater domain. According to the latest statement, the aim is “to give democratic partners a decisive technological advantage at sea”. With a sovereign set-up in Europe and in Australia, the project is to strengthen defence capabilities above all in the North Atlantic and in the waters of the AUKUS partners.

Next step after the SG-1 Fathom glider

With this strategic acquisition, Helsing is accelerating its plans for autonomous, AI-controlled systems. Shortly before, the company had introduced the SG-1 Fathom autonomous underwater glider, which was unveiled this year and passed its trials at the BUTEC military test range in July. Four months ago, Helsing also announced the construction of a new Resilience Factory in Plymouth – part of an investment of 350 million pounds sterling (just over 400 million euros) in the United Kingdom.

Underwater drones for reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare

Amelia Gould, General Manager Maritime at Helsing, explains the move: “The need for an intelligent, autonomous mass approach is obvious. Together with Blue Ocean we can build autonomous gliders that represent a major leap forward for underwater reconnaissance and surveillance.” She adds: “Blue Ocean has been an important partner for us over the past twelve months. As we want to significantly strengthen our maritime offering for Europe and the AUKUS partners, the merger is a logical next step. Together we offer our customers a unique combination of expertise, rapid innovation and cutting-edge technology.”

Speaking for Blue Ocean, Group Managing Director Mike Deeks said: “Since our first meeting with Helsing we have built a strong working relationship. We are bringing together our autonomous underwater vehicle technology with Helsing's impressive AI data processing to create effective capabilities for anti-submarine warfare and wide-area surveillance. These are crucial for a modern common operating picture and for protecting borders and critical facilities.”