Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type, By Application (Military & Defense, Oil & Gas), By Technology, By Propulsion, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 To 2030

The Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) is an uncrewed submersible vehicle that operates independently, using propulsion systems such as mechanical, electric, or hybrid and is applied in various sectors, including commercial and military applications such as border protection patrol, intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance (ISR), scientific research, and the oil & gas industry. The AUV has emerged as a highly efficient system for sea mapping and seafloor imaging, capable of collecting large amounts of data through numerous sensors. It is increasingly used for hydrographic missions in various countries due to its cost-effective technology, high accuracy, and ultra-deep-sea capabilities. The rising demand for deep-sea exploration in oceanography is driving the growth of the autonomous underwater vehicle market.

The global AUV market M is anticipated to witness growth due to an upswing in AUVs operations across various sectors, including commercial, scientific, and military domains such as oceanography and anti-submarine warfare. The surge in demand can be attributed to the utilization of AUVs equipped with advanced sensors, actuators, and onboard intelligence systems to facilitate ocean exploration and complete survey and sampling collection tasks with minimal human intervention. This trend is expected to continue, given AUVs' significant advantages regarding operational efficiency and accuracy.

The global autonomous underwater vehicle market is segmented based on technology into collision avoidance, navigation, communication, and imagery. Navigation technology is experiencing significant growth in this industry, as it plays a critical role in ensuring the quality of data collected during long underwater missions. Submarine navigation technology offers precise information on autonomous underwater vehicles' velocity, position, and attitude, thus driving the industry's growth.

Some of the latest trends following the demand for autonomous underwater vehicles include advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics that enable these vehicles to navigate more efficiently and collect more accurate data. The development of hybrid power systems and high-capacity batteries has also allowed AUVs to operate for more extended periods and cover more considerable distances. Moreover, there is a growing demand for modular AUV systems that can be customized for specific applications and quickly reconfigured for different missions. Additionally, the increasing focus on environmental monitoring and ocean conservation drives the development of AUVs with specialized sensors to collect data on water quality, marine life, and underwater habitats.

Moreover, the deployment of uncrewed vehicles for long-range endurance attacks, surveillance operations, and minefield operations is rising. Companies are now integrating artificial intelligence into autonomous underwater vehicles to enhance their real-time communication, navigation, and surveying capabilities. Several countries are investing heavily in research and development programs to support the development of such advanced systems. For instance, in May 2021, the German government allocated USD 14.5 million towards a Maritime Research Program to develop an autonomous robotics system controlled by artificial intelligence. The U.S. Navy is also leading the development of the Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA) program, which seeks to evaluate levels of autonomy in unmanned underwater submarine technology. All of these developments are expected to fuel market growth in the future.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market Segmentation

• By Propulsion

  • Electric System

  • Mechanical System

  • Hybrid System

• By Application

  • Military & Defense

  • Oil & Gas

• By Type

  • Small

  • Medium

  • Large

• By Technology

  • Navigation

  • Communication

  • Collision Avoidance

  • Imagery

Key players

• Boeing

• International Submarine Engineering Limited

• Boston Engineering

• Fugro

• L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

• Lockheed Martin Corporation.

• SAAB

• Teledyne Technologies Incorporated.

• KONGSBERG

• General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.