Royal Navy Picks Ocean Infinity to Set Up "Atlantic Net" Sub-Hunting System
The Royal Navy has picked Ocean Infinity to use its autonomous capabilities for support of the future Atlantic Net sub-hunting program - a robotic antisubmarine warfare network designed to supplement the service's conventional force, which is in decline due to an aging-out frigate fleet.
Ocean Infinity's civilian-world expertise is in lean-crewed and fully-autonomous survey operations, and it is a leader in high-automation marine services. It operates a fleet of small offshore vessels designed for roboticized geophysical surveys, geotechnical investigations and other services with a focus on minimal manning and "software and technology first."
For the Royal Navy, the company will work with other partners to "bring together the technology, data and maritime expertise needed to deliver a persistent operational capability in the North Atlantic over the long term."
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The degree of involvement for Ocean Infinity's own 14-vessel offshore fleet was not immediately defined. The UK MoD said that the $120 million project will create 200 new jobs, and will involve a combination of new drones, sensors and AI systems. It will be one component of a broader program, Atlantic Bastion, aimed at containing threats on the northern flank.
"The Royal Navy has been exploring how to move beyond traditional, heavily crewed fleets towards a broader mix of robotic and lean-crewed platforms. Atlantic Net is that idea coming to life. It is a significant step forward in how naval capability can be delivered, using uncrewed and autonomous systems at a scale that has not been seen before," said Ocean Infinity president of solutions Joe Robinson.
