#United States #Rhode Island #AUV Technology #Vatn Systems #Crewless Marine

Vatn Systems Acquires Crewless Marine

In a significant move aimed at enhancing its capabilities in underwater acoustics, Vatn Systems, a progressive defense technology firm, has announced its acquisition of Crewless Marine, a Rhode Island-based company known for its specialization in advanced underwater acoustic sensing technology and signal processing. This acquisition takes place as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are becoming increasingly important to naval operations and defense strategies.

Founded by former Navy engineers, Crewless Marine brings a wealth of experience in developing torpedo acoustic systems and hydrophone manufacturing. This integration into Vatn will allow the company to strengthen its supply chain, control critical technologies, and accelerate development cycles for its autonomous systems.

Nelson Mills, the co-founder and CEO of Vatn Systems, expressed confidence in the move, stating, "With this acquisition, we're solidifying our leadership position in undersea acoustics. Owning this capability end-to-end enables us to advance our mission while positioning us to expand into the harbor defense and environmental monitoring markets." This perspective illustrates the strategic importance of acoustic sensing technology in modern warfare, emphasizing Vatn's commitment to delivering high-performance and cost-effective solutions.

As part of this acquisition, key figures from Crewless Marine will join Vatn Systems' ranks: Steve Bordonaro, PhD, will assume the role of Chief Engineer for Systems, while his co-founder, Philip Caspers, PhD, will become the Director of Acoustics. With over three decades of expertise in acoustic signal processing and autonomous systems, Bordonaro's experience, notably from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, is expected to contribute significantly to Vatn’s objectives.

The significance of this acquisition is even more profound given that it follows Vatn’s recent announcement of a $60 million Series A fundraising round. The company has also made headlines for its first international sale to Singapore's Defense Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), a testament to its growing influence in the global defense landscape.

Crewless Marine emphasizes uncrewed maritime applications and provides solutions designed for autonomous maritime operations, seamlessly integrating expertise across sensor development, embedded hardware design, and acoustic processing.

They aim to leverage the advanced technologies developed throughout their history within the broader context of military applications and environmental monitoring. As Bordonaro remarked, "Joining Vatn allows us to scale the technologies we've spent our careers developing and bring them to a broader set of missions. We’re excited to accelerate possibilities in acoustic sensing and undersea warfare together."

Overall, Vatn Systems aims to become the go-to provider in the underwater defense sector, especially as autonomous systems continue to evolve and dominate naval strategies. The acquisition not only enhances Vatn’s capabilities but also fortifies its position within the defense technology sphere, catering to the increasing demand for innovative underwater solutions and reflective of a shifting paradigm in military operations.

As Vatn Systems prepares for future developments post-acquisition, the possibilities for further innovations in undersea technologies remain promising, ensuring that they stay ahead in the ever-competitive field of defense technology. For more details and updates, check out Vatn Systems’ official website.