Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Market Report 2025

The unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.11 billion in 2024 to $1.24 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to maritime surveillance and security needs, commercial applications in shipping and logistics, scientific research and ocean exploration, environmental monitoring and conservation, naval mine countermeasures.

The unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.85 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption in offshore energy industry, advancements in autonomous navigation systems, expanding applications in maritime research, integration with unmanned aerial vehicles (uavs), global increase in maritime trade. Major trends in the forecast period include application of usvs in oceanographic research, focus on modular and scalable design, integration of remote sensing technologies, expansion of usv applications in defense, increased utilization in maritime security.

The anticipated growth in the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market is expected to be propelled by the increasing threats to maritime security. Maritime security threats encompass a range of risks and challenges, including terrorism, piracy, robbery, illegal movement of goods and persons, and illicit fishing, among others, that can jeopardize the safety and operations of maritime activities. USVs play a crucial role in addressing these threats by performing tasks such as surveillance, patrolling, and monitoring maritime areas. They enhance situational awareness, gather real-time data, and provide support in areas that may pose danger or difficulty for manned vessels. Operating alongside human vessels, USVs improve the capacity of security forces to observe and respond to crises at sea. For instance, in July 2023, the International Chamber of Commerce reported 65 recorded incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the first half of 2023, marking an increase from the 58 incidents reported during the corresponding period in 2022. Consequently, the growing threats to maritime security are driving the growth of the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market.

Increasing investment in unmanned systems is expected to drive the growth of the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market in the future. Such investment involves the allocation of financial resources by government entities, defense organizations, or private investors to support the development, research, production, and deployment of various autonomous or remotely operated systems. For example, in August 2024, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a US-based non-profit policy research organization, reported that $14.6 million was designated for small unmanned systems in the fiscal year 2024 budget. Furthermore, the budget request for short-range reconnaissance small unmanned aircraft systems for fiscal year 2025 is $21.1 million. Therefore, the increasing investment in unmanned systems is propelling the growth of the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market.

Technological advancement stands out as a prominent trend gaining traction in the unmanned surface vehicle market. Major companies within the unmanned surface vehicle sector are actively engaged in innovating their products to fortify and maintain their market positions. For example, in September 2022, Turkey-based ship manufacturer Sefine Shipyard-Aselsan unveiled Marlin SDA, the inaugural unmanned surface vehicle with electronic warfare capability. The Marlin SDA is designed for deployment in naval warfare operations, serving both defensive and offensive purposes in coastal and open sea environments. This groundbreaking technology enables the autonomous vehicle to track enemy ships, potentially disrupting their radars. It also proves valuable for intelligence gathering, electronic warfare, target detection and identification, as well as underwater and surface reconnaissance and surveillance.

Major companies in the unmanned surface vehicle market are directing their efforts toward the development of innovative platforms, such as the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) platform. An Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) platform refers to an autonomous or remotely operated watercraft that navigates the surface of a body of water without a human crew on board. For instance, in June 2022, Norway-based company Maritime Robotics AS introduced the 'Mariner X,' a versatile unmanned surface vehicle (USV) platform equipped with a configurable design that facilitates high-quality data acquisition at sea.

In September 2023, Oceaneering International, a US-based oil and gas company, acquired Exail's DriX Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition enhances Oceaneering's subsea exploration capabilities and bolsters its integrated Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair (IMR) strategy. Exail, based in France, specializes in advanced maritime, defense, and aerospace solutions, focusing on autonomous systems, robotics, and high-tech sensors to improve operational efficiency in critical environments.

Major companies operating in the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market include 5G International Inc., L3Harris Technologies, Atlas Elektronik GmbH, ECA Group, Elbit Systems Ltd., Liquid Robotics Inc., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., SeaRobotics Corporation, Teledyne Technologies Inc., Textron Inc., Israel Aerospace Industries, Maritime Robotics, Kongsberg Maritime, Saab AB,Thales Group, Fugro NV, Open Ocean Robotics, RanMarine Technology, Xera Robotics Pvt. Ltd., Physical Sciences Inc., Metron Inc., ASV Global, ROV Aerospace Corp., Mesodyne, Blue Bear Plastics Private Limited, Oceaneering International Inc., Waertsilae SAM Electronics.

North America was the largest region in the unmanned surface vehicle market in 2024. The regions covered in the unmanned surface vehicle (usv) market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the unmanned surface vehicle (usv) market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) refer to self-contained surface vehicles capable of navigating and functioning on the water's surface without the need for human operators. These vehicles are designed to perform various tasks and operations in marine environments, including oceanographic research, data collection, and environmental monitoring.

The primary categories of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) include surface and sub-surface types. Surface vehicles are autonomous boats that can navigate and operate on the water's surface without human intervention. They find applications in oceanographic research, military functions such as surveillance and reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. The main modes of operation include autonomous surface vehicles and remotely operated surface vehicles, featuring different hull types such as catamaran (twin hulls), kayak (single hull), trimaran (triple hulls), and rigid inflatable hulls. These vehicles come in various sizes, such as small, medium, large, and extra-large, and are utilized in defense, commercial activities, scientific research, and other domains.

The unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market statistics, including unmanned surface vehicle (USV) industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market share, detailed unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) industry. This unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The unmanned surface vehicle market consists of sales of ruggedized USV, portable USV, remote-controlled surface vehicles, hybrid USV, weaponized USV, and environmental monitoring USVs. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.