Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Demonstration for Maritime Surveillance

The contract focuses on the development and demonstration of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) designed for persistent maritime domain awareness specifically in littoral zones. The AUV will utilize onboard sensors combined with artificial intelligence analytics to enhance surveillance capabilities, enabling continuous monitoring in complex coastal environments. This project aims to advance maritime surveillance technology by integrating sophisticated sensor systems with real-time data processing to detect and track underwater activity effectively. Issued by the Department of Defense through the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, the contract is categorized under NAICS code 334511, which relates to search, detection, navigation, guidance, aeronautical, and nautical system and instrument manufacturing. The work will be performed in Newport and is structured as a subcontract opportunity. The solicitation was posted in May 2026, with responses due later that month, emphasizing the need for timely proposals to support the demonstration phase critical for improving littoral maritime security.