Vatn Systems Buys Crewless Marine to Tighten Control of Undersea Acoustic Tech

New updates have been reported about Vatn Systems.

Vatn Systems has acquired Rhode Island-based Crewless Marine, bringing advanced underwater acoustic sensing and signal-processing capabilities in-house as it scales its autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) business for U.S. and allied defense customers. The deal advances Vatn’s vertical integration strategy by securing core acoustic technologies used in torpedo systems and AUV payloads, reducing reliance on external suppliers and potentially shortening development and deployment timelines. Crewless Marine, founded by former Navy engineers, contributes expertise in torpedo acoustics, hydrophone manufacturing, and real-time signal processing, and is currently executing a Navy SBIR focused on AI/ML-based multi-sensor, multi-target localization, which could enhance Vatn’s ability to deliver more capable and intelligent undersea systems.

Under the transaction, Crewless co-founder Steve Bordonaro, PhD, will become Vatn’s Chief Engineer for Systems, while co-founder Philip Caspers, PhD, will serve as Director of Acoustics, adding senior technical leadership with deep undersea warfare and sonar experience, including prior senior roles at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center. CEO Nelson Mills said the acquisition is intended to cement Vatn’s position in undersea acoustics and enable scaled production of high-performance, lower-cost torpedo and AUV solutions, while also opening optionality in adjacent segments such as harbor defense and environmental monitoring. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the move follows Vatn’s recently announced $60 million Series A round and its first international sale to Singapore’s Defense Science and Technology Agency, underscoring a strategy to position the company as a next-generation underwater defense prime as autonomous systems reshape naval operations and procurement priorities.