ELWAVE has participated in the SeaSEC Challenge Weeks 2026 in Rostock, Germany, where it deployed its ESENSE electric field sensing technology to support the protection of critical maritime infrastructure.
At the event, ELWAVE demonstrated the capabilities of ESENSE, an underwater electrometer designed for operations at depths of up to 6000 meters. The deployment focused on introducing wideband electromagnetic detection and classification as a new sensing capability in the underwater domain.
ESENSE enables maritime surveillance through the detection and classification of surface and subsea intruders based on their electrical signatures, including Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). The system provides wideband coverage and operates in deep-sea environments, while automated calibration and dry electrodes support long-duration deployments.
The technology also offers remote control and data visualization through the OWLIA software interface and is designed to complement other sensing modalities, including acoustic, optical, magnetic, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), and sonar systems.
During the SeaSEC exercises, ELWAVE worked alongside partners to integrate electromagnetic sensing data into a fused, real-time operational picture. This approach enhances detection confidence and reduces ambiguity by combining ESENSE-derived insights with other sensor inputs.
The deployment highlights the role of electrical signatures as an additional dimension in underwater sensing, particularly for detecting and classifying low-signature or stealthy threats in challenging environments such as acoustically noisy coastal areas.
ELWAVE acknowledged the SeaSEC team for organizing the challenge, as well as the support provided by the Fraunhofer IGD and Rostock Institute for Ocean Technologies GmbH teams during preparation and deployment, and highlighted its collaboration with a broad ecosystem of partners throughout the exercise.
The participation in SeaSEC 2026 demonstrates the deployment of ESENSE in a live challenge environment, with systems operational and data actively supporting underwater monitoring activities.
