UK awards Teledyne contract for autonomous underwater vehicles and floats

April 1, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Teledyne Marine, part of Teledyne Technologies, has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) in support of the Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Data Gathering (FMDG) – Persistent Oceanographic Data Collect.

Under this contract, Teledyne will supply numerous autonomous ocean observing systems, including Sentinel and Slocum gliders, APEX floats, and associated services. This will enable the Royal Navy to expand its fleet of advanced unmanned technologies to collect high-quality oceanographic data in support of operational planning, maritime safety, and defense activities, directly supporting Atlantic Bastion.

Specifically, under the FMDG program, Teledyne’s systems will deliver long-endurance data collection from complex and remote maritime environments.

The program builds on the Royal Navy’s use of Teledyne Slocum gliders since 2015 and reinforces the growing role of unmanned systems in Royal Navy and NATO naval operations.

“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,” said George Bobb, President and CEO of Teledyne.

“We are proud to support the Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Data Gathering program and to contribute capabilities that deliver high-quality ocean data to enable critical defense and maritime missions.”

“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 the First Sea Lord’s Hybrid Navy agenda, this capability will be delivered directly to front line Information Warfare Meteorological and Oceanographic (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,” said Commander Butcher, Royal Navy, Capability Sponsor.

Since 2015, Teledyne has supported the Royal Navy’s oceanographic and environmental monitoring requirements through Slocum gliders, APEX floats and Gavia autonomous systems designed to operate reliably in demanding operational conditions. Naval, commercial, and scientific organizations widely use Teledyne’s unmanned systems.

Teledyne recently secured an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for additional GAVIA autonomous underwater vehicles and payload modules.