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Boost to ocean data collection thanks to new contract
31 March 2026
The Royal Navy’s ability to survey and collect data on the world’s oceans has been given a boost thanks to a new contract with Teledyne Marine.
Uncrewed equipment such as gliders and floats will strengthen the Senior Service’s role in oceanographic and environmental data collection.
The contract award is part of the navy’s Future Maritime Data Gathering scheme and will be delivered directly to the frontline Information Warfare meteorological and oceanographic (IW METOC) operators.
Teledyne will supply numerous autonomous ocean observing systems, including Sentinel and Slocum gliders (a sensor to gather data), APEX floats (which can take subsurface measurements), and associated services, enabling the Royal Navy to expand its fleet of advanced uncrewed technologies.
Together, this equipment will support of operational planning, maritime safety, and Defence activities, directly supporting Atlantic Bastion.
Commander Mark Butcher, Hydrographic and IW METOC Capability Sponsor within Navy Develop, said: “This investment in autonomous ocean sensing strengthens the Royal Navy’s ability to understand and operate in an increasingly contested North Atlantic, supporting Atlantic Bastion.
“As we take this forward under First Sea Lord’s Hybrid Navy agenda, this capability will be delivered to directly to our IW METOC operators.
“Persistent data from systems such as these enhances our understanding of the underwater battlespace, enabling tactical exploitation of the environment and delivering the operational and information advantage commanders need.”
Persistent data from systems such as these enhances our understanding of the underwater battlespace, enabling tactical exploitation of the environment and delivering the operational and information advantage commanders need
Under the Future Maritime Data Gathering programme, Teledyne’s systems will deliver long-endurance data collection from complex and remote maritime environments, providing the Royal Navy with actionable and reliable environmental intelligence.
It builds on the Royal Navy’s use of Teledyne autonomous platforms and reinforces the growing role of uncrewed systems in Royal Navy and NATO operations.
George Bobb, President and CEO of Teledyne, added: “This award reflects the Royal Navy’s continued confidence in Teledyne’s autonomous underwater vehicles and ocean observing technologies, and our established partnership in delivering proven, mission-ready solutions.
“We are proud to support the Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Data Gathering programme and to contribute capabilities that deliver high-quality ocean data to enable critical defence and maritime missions.”