Sea Machines Robotics, Boston, Mass., has secured a five-year indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to supply deployable vessel-autonomy systems to U.S. Special Operations Forces, the company announced Sept. 8.
The contract allows Special Operations Forces to order Sea Machines’ autonomy kits for installation aboard vessels of varying sizes and configurations. The systems will support expeditionary logistics, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and maritime security operations.
Built around the company’s autonomous command-and-control technology, the kits are designed to provide a “drop-in” capability that can be installed within hours, according to Sea Machines. The systems can be adapted for different operating areas and mission requirements.
The company said the technology can allow personnel to remotely command and control vessels while reducing the need to place crews or higher-value assets in hazardous operating environments.
“This award reflects a clear shift toward operational, ready-now autonomy that can be deployed wherever and whenever it’s needed,” said Erik Hedval, director of federal business captures for Sea Machines. “Our maritime autonomy system delivers a true ‘drop-in’ capability, enabling Special Operations Forces to rapidly extend command and control, increase mission flexibility, and reduce risk to personnel in dynamic maritime environments.”
Sea Machines did not disclose the contract’s potential value or the number of autonomy kits that could be ordered.
