Open-Architecture Autopilot Software Released for Coordinated Air & Sea Swarms

Spanish guidance, navigation, and control specialist UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía has released software version 9.2 for its VECTOR autopilot family, significantly enhancing the multi-domain capabilities of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs).

The update arrives amid a structural transformation in the maritime sector, where the operational deployment of USVs in recent conflicts has accelerated the shift toward distributed, multi-domain operations in contested environments. To address these demands, the new software enables seamless cooperation between aerial and maritime platforms, allowing operators to deploy heterogeneous UAV-USV swarms that share situational awareness and cooperative behaviors across both air and sea domains.

Moving away from standalone autonomous platforms, the updated autopilot architecture emphasizes interoperability. It features an open design that allows direct integration with third-party payloads, sensors, command-and-control systems, and artificial intelligence-based autonomous decision-making software. This framework supports fully autonomous mission execution without continuous operator input, permitting real-time mission updates to adapt to evolving conditions even in communications-degraded or contested areas.

Leveraging the company’s established aerial systems expertise, the software introduces advanced maritime safety and navigation functions. This includes combining aerial-derived detect-and-avoid capabilities with Automatic Identification System (AIS) situational awareness to ensure safe navigation during critical operational phases, such as approach, launch, and recovery.

Additional technical enhancements in version 9.2 include robust heading estimation, a fault-tolerant architecture, and adaptive control algorithms. The system also supports high-precision terminal guidance for advanced missions, such as loitering munitions, alongside multiple onboard mission plans and advanced waypoint actions to maximize operational flexibility.

This software release is now available to USV platform customers. UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía supports the system using the same validation, maintenance, and quality standards applied across its existing fixed-wing, rotary-wing, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and target platform solutions.