VideoRay ROV Modified for Subsea Threat Detection in Dstl-Led Royal Navy Trials

A modified version of VideoRay’s Mission Specialist Defender Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) is demonstrating its value as a subsea intervention platform in trials led by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

Developed in collaboration with industry partners, the system is being evaluated for its ability to identify and neutralize underwater threats such as unexploded ordnance (UXO) and sabotage to critical subsea infrastructure.

Dstl has integrated a range of bespoke technologies that allow the Remotely Operated Vehicle to detect and remotely place explosive charges to neutralize UXO. These adaptations enhance operational safety and reduce the need for human divers in dangerous environments, while enabling persistent underwater operations at greater depths and durations.

The Defender is also the ROV of choice for the MESR program of record for the US Navy following a $92.6 million five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for the family of systems.

Dstl explosives engineer John said, “This technology would be a valuable toolset for keeping our Armed Forces safe whilst providing the public with value for money.

“This unique capability with its sensors, tools and cameras will give operators a real time ability to deal with these underwater hazards in a safe, effective and efficient way.”

The ROV’s modular architecture supports high-resolution video and sonar data transmission, providing operators with detailed situational awareness. It can be launched from a vessel or shoreline and maneuvered remotely to inspect, verify, and safely neutralize subsea hazards, including those near vital infrastructure such as undersea pipelines and communication cables.

The system is designed to work in conjunction with other autonomous and remotely operated platforms, enabling a scalable approach to seabed survey, threat detection, and intervention. Because the Defender ROV is not destroyed during its missions, it can be reused multiple times, enhancing cost-efficiency and reducing the environmental footprint of underwater operations.

Trials have been successfully conducted at multiple sites, including Horsea Island in Portsmouth, Portland Harbour, South Wales, and Norway. These exercises are supporting the development of operational tactics and techniques, while also driving forward innovation in maritime robotics and subsea defense technology.

This initiative highlights the potential of adapted commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) platforms for national security and infrastructure resilience, showcasing the Defender ROV as a flexible, mission-ready tool for underwater threat mitigation and seabed intervention.