Teledyne Marine has secured a contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to support the Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Data Gathering (FMDG) – Persistent Oceanographic Data Collect programme, enhancing the service’s capabilities in oceanographic and environmental data collection.
Under the contract, Teledyne will deliver a range of autonomous ocean observation systems, including Sentinel and Slocum gliders, APEX floats, and related services. These solutions will enable the Royal Navy to expand its portfolio of advanced unmanned technologies, enhancing its ability to gather high-quality oceanographic data for operational planning, maritime safety, and defence missions, in direct support of Atlantic Bastion.
Teledyne’s systems will support long-endurance data collection across complex and remote maritime environments as part of the FMDG programme, providing the Royal Navy with actionable and reliable environmental intelligence.
The programme 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. According to the Royal Navy’s direct award justification, “Teledyne remains the only supplier able to guarantee seamless interoperability, security compliance, and mission readiness within the current RN glider fleet.”
George Bobb, President and CEO of Teledyne, commented, “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. 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.”
Commander Butcher, Royal Navy, Capability Sponsor, added, “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.”
Since 2015, Teledyne has supported the Royal Navy’s oceanographic and environmental monitoring requirements with Slocum gliders, APEX floats, and Gavia autonomous systems, all designed for reliable operation in demanding conditions. Teledyne’s unmanned systems are also widely deployed by naval, commercial, and scientific organisations worldwide for ocean observation and environmental data collection.
