Vatn Systems, a defense technology company specializing in autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), has made a strategic move to bolster its capabilities by acquiring Crewless Marine, a Rhode Island-based firm known for its expertise in advanced underwater acoustic sensing and signal processing. This acquisition is set to strengthen Vatn’s tech stack, reduce supply chain dependencies, and accelerate the development of autonomous systems.
Crewless Marine, founded by former Navy engineers, brings a wealth of experience in torpedo acoustic systems, hydrophone manufacturing, and real-time signal processing to the table. The company is currently working on a Navy Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project focused on “AI/ML Multi-Sensor/Multi-Target Localization,” which aligns perfectly with Vatn’s mission to enhance the autonomy and efficiency of underwater vehicles.
As part of the transaction, Crewless Marine co-founder Steve Bordonaro, PhD, will join Vatn as Chief Engineer for Systems. Bordonaro brings over three decades of experience in acoustic signal processing and autonomous systems, including senior leadership roles at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, where he served as Chief Scientist for the Sensors and Sonar Department and led torpedo guidance and control development. Philip Caspers, PhD, co-founder of Crewless Marine, will join Vatn as Director of Acoustics.
“This acquisition is a game-changer for Vatn,” said Vatn Systems CEO Johnathan Rogers. “It allows us to vertically integrate critical technologies, ensuring we have full control over the development and deployment of our autonomous systems. The expertise brought by Steve and Philip will be instrumental in driving innovation and maintaining our competitive edge.”
The acquisition comes at a pivotal time for Vatn Systems, following its recent $60 million Series A fundraising round and its first international sale to Singapore’s Defense Science and Technology Agency (DSTA). Vatn is supporting the enhancement of Singapore’s national defense with scalable, next-generation underwater capabilities, underscoring the company’s rapid growth and expanding global footprint.
“This is more than just an acquisition; it’s a strategic alignment of vision and expertise,” said Steve Bordonaro. “Our work at Crewless Marine has always been about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in underwater acoustic sensing. Joining Vatn allows us to scale our impact and contribute to cutting-edge autonomous systems that will redefine maritime defense.”
Philip Caspers added, “We are thrilled to bring our expertise in acoustics and signal processing to Vatn. The opportunity to work on advanced AUVs and contribute to projects like the Navy SBIR is incredibly exciting. We look forward to driving innovation and delivering state-of-the-art solutions for our customers.”
The acquisition of Crewless Marine is a significant step in Vatn’s strategy to vertically integrate its technology stack. By controlling critical technologies in-house, Vatn can reduce supply chain dependencies and accelerate development cycles, ensuring faster deployment of advanced autonomous systems. This move is expected to enhance Vatn’s ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions to its military and commercial customers, solidifying its position as a leader in the defense technology sector.
As Vatn continues to expand its capabilities and global reach, the integration of Crewless Marine’s expertise will be pivotal in shaping the future of autonomous underwater vehicles. The company’s commitment to innovation and strategic growth is evident in its recent achievements and the bold steps it is taking to lead the industry forward.