Helsing to acquire Blue Ocean for AI underwater systems

Helsing has announced plans to acquire Blue Ocean, a UK- and Australia-based specialist in autonomous underwater vehicles, to strengthen its Maritime Defence Programme, according to the company.

The acquisition will integrate Blue Ocean’s hardware and manufacturing expertise with Helsing’s artificial intelligence systems. Helsing stated that combining the two firms will “accelerate the development and mass production of autonomous platforms for the protection of the underwater battlespace,” supporting efforts to build “sovereign capabilities across Europe and Australia.”

Amelia Gould, General Manager for Maritime at Helsing, said in the release: “The need for a smart autonomous mass-approach is clear, and together with Blue Ocean we can build an autonomous glider that provides a big leap forward to conduct underwater ISR for navies.” She added that joining forces “makes sense” as Helsing seeks to strengthen its maritime offering for European and AUKUS partners.

Blue Ocean’s Group Managing Director, Mike Deeks, said: “Since first meeting Helsing we have forged a strong working relationship bringing together our Autonomous Underwater Vehicle technology with Helsing’s impressive Edge AI processing to create a highly effective anti-submarine warfare and wide area surveillance capability.” He described these capabilities as “critical to compilation of the modern common operating picture and providing border and asset protection.”

The acquisition follows Helsing’s recent testing of its SG-1 Fathom autonomous underwater glider at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre (BUTEC) in July, and its announcement of a £350 million investment in a new “Resilience Factory” in Plymouth.

The transaction will proceed through a members’ scheme of arrangement under Australian law, subject to court, regulatory, and shareholder approval.