Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market Size, Share, Trends & Growth

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Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) Market Size & Growth

[417 Pages Report] The volume of UUVs is projected to grow from 1,275 (In units) in 2024 to 2,911 (In Units) by 2030. The Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market is projected to grow from USD 4.8 billion in 2024 to USD 11.1 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 15.0%. There is rise in deployment of UUVs for maritime security, subsea exploration, and environmental monitoring. Government investments in naval defense, marine research for surveillance, reconnaissance, & oceanographic data collection  and expanding offshore oil and gas industry which requires advanced inspection and monitoring UUVs are main reasons for the Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Industry growth.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market Forecast to 2030

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Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) Market Trends

Driver: Increasing use of UUVs for mine countermeasures and complex underwater research

UUVs are equipped with sensors and payloads and, hence, are useful for ocean research and seabed mapping. They are widely used in mine countermeasures for detection, classification, and neutralization tasks. They can survey large underwater areas, identify mines, and map them for targeted disposal operations, thus reducing risks to human personnel and enhancing mission efficiency. UUVs can also conduct covert operations to deliver specialized payloads like military equipment, sensors, or communication devices in harsh environments. Apart from underwater mapping and mine countermeasures, these UUVs are also used for reconnaissance and surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and various other operations. They gather various intelligence and provide real-time situational awareness by utilizing imaging technologies, sonar systems, and high-resolution cameras. UUVs contribute to understanding underwater terrain, identifying threats, and improving maritime operations through detailed mapping of the underwater environments.

Restraints: The reliability crisis of UUVs in sensitive missions

UUVs are used in defense, commercial, civil, and research applications. These robots are used to execute critical missions effectively and safely. However, UUVs have been known to break down due to hardware failure, incompetent software, and unpredictable external situations. These malfunctions bring down the reliability of these robots during sensitive missions.

The reliability of UUVs holds major  importance in defense applications. Failures in these robots are mainly due to design failures, technology failures, manufacturing failures, environmental failures, and operational failures. Effective preliminary measures and plans are required in case of a failure. Initial  arrangements are required to  bring the malfunctioning UUVs back to base station. The failure of UUVs in terms of their functionality, restricts their use in various military operations which result in breaching and loss of confidential data, and make them easily accesible for exploitation by enemy forces.

Opportunities: Development and incorporation of advanced technologies in UUVs

UUVs are expected to advance technologically in areas like battery life, self-navigation capabilities, and the ability to manipulate objects. These improvements are expected to enhance their role in commercial operations. Currently, UUVs typically have a battery life of around 24 hours, which decreases further when operating in deep waters due to high power consumption by thrusters. The vehicle's speed is determined by the power available, whereas its operational range is limited by the energy capacity of its batteries. Modern demands for faster, longer-lasting UUVs with enhanced sensors and processing capabilities highlight the need for more efficient energy solutions.

Most of the UUVs cannot recharge their batteries autonomously and must carry multiple batteries for extended missions, requiring human intervention for battery replacement or recharging. Advancements in onboard sensors are improving UUVs' efficiency in carrying and operating electronic equipment for tasks like imaging and monitoring. For instance, companies like WiBotic (US) are developing solutions for underwater wireless power and battery management. These innovations aim to minimize the need for battery swaps during prolonged underwater missions. There is also ongoing research into solar power to recharge UUV batteries, with the current solar propulsion systems requiring large, power-intensive panels. The development of more efficient solar-powered systems remains a priority. The evolution of such technologies is expected to significantly drive the market for UUVs.

Challenges: Slow underwater survey speed

Electromagnetic (EM) waves struggles in underwater environments with a depth of more than 200 meters owing to the conducting nature of seawater. Free-space optical (FSO) communications are also ineffective for UUVs due to their limitation to very short ranges. UUVs rely on slow-moving acoustic waves for conducting deep-sea explorations. The refraction, absorption, and scattering of signals sent by UUVs in the water further impact the propagation. Deep underwater pressures intensifies these effects, slowing down signal speed and creates noise and echoes. This effects generates the requirement of high power for signal transmission and complex signal processing. Thus, high power levels are required for underwater communication for extremely complex signal processing. Environmental disturbances caused by weather changes, waves, wind patterns, and ocean currents also have a significant impact on the underwater communication of UUVs

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) Market Ecosystem

Companies that design and manufacture Unmanned Underwater Vehicles solutions, include government firms and industries as key stakeholders in Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market. Investors, funders, academic researchers, integrators, service providers, and licensing authorities are the major influencers in this market. Prominent companies in this market include Kongsberg (Norway), Saab AB (Sweden), Oceaneering International, Inc. (US), Boeing (US) and Fugro (Netherlands).

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) Market Segmentation

Based on the type, the Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) segment is estimated to account for the largest market share during the forecast period.

Based on the type, the ROVs segment is estimated to account for the largest market share during the forecast period. ROVs offer high-resolution cameras, sonar, and other sensors for detailed inspections of underwater structures, and potential threats. The market growth for Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) segment is primarily driven by the rising need of underwater drones for deep-water operations in sectors such as offshore oil and gas, underwater mining, and infrastructure maintenance. Increasing investments in offshore renewable energy projects and the need for various commercial applications fuels the demand for advanced underwater drones.

Based on the AUV- application , the defense segment is anticipated to dominate the market.

Based AUV- application , the defense segment holds the largest market share. The growth of AUVs in the defense segment is primarily driven by advancements in autonomous navigation technologies, enhanced battery life, and increased payload capacities. The increasing geopolitical tensions and the rising need for advanced surveillance, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities based unmanned submarines are driving the market growth of the segment.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) Market Regioanl Analysis

The Asia Pacific market is projected to account largest share for the Unmanned Underwater Vehicles market.

Asia Pacific is projected to account largest share for the Unmanned Underwater Vehicles market during the forecast period. India is projected to show the highest growth rate for the Unmanned Underwater Vehicles market in Asia Pacific. The domination of the Unmanned Underwater Vehicles market in the Asia Pacific can be attributed due to the presence of various manufacturers and increasing investment for development and deployment of various underwater drones.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market by Region

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Top Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) Companies: Key Market Players

The Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Companies is dominated by a few globally established players such as Kongsberg (Norway), Saab AB (Sweden), Oceaneering International, Inc. (US), Boeing (US) and Fugro (Netherlands) are some of the leading players operating in the Unmanned Underwater Vehicles market; they are the key manufacturers and solution providers that secured Unmanned Underwater Vehicles contracts in the last few years. Major focus was given to the contracts and new product development due to the changing requirements in defense and commercial industries.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) Market Report Scope

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market Highlights

The study categorizes the Unmanned Underwater Vehicles market based on type, system, application, propulsion, product type, speed, shape, depth and region.

Recent Developments

• In February 2024,  Kongsberg :- Kongsberg announced a significant 24-month contract with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to support the US Navy’s efforts in developing a prototype for the Large Displacement Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (LDUUV).
• In September 2022,  Northrop Grumman Corporation :- Northrop Grumman Corporation launched a new unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), Manta Ray. This UUV can conduct long-range missions in ocean environments without the need for on-site human logistics support.
• In March 2021, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.:- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) concluded a research and prototype production contract with Japan’s Ministry of Defense for next-generation mine-countermeasure technology.

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