The report analyzes the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) market across multiple segments, including payload types, product types and applications, offering insights into key trends and growth drivers. The study focuses on payload types such as sensors (including synthetic aperture sonars, acoustic Doppler current profilers, cameras and echo sounders), inertial navigation systems and other payloads. It assesses the adoption of these payloads across different AUV product types, including shallow AUVs, medium-sized AUVs and large AUVs. Furthermore, the report evaluates market demand across key application segments, namely the military and defense, commercial, and academic sectors.
The report provides a comprehensive regional analysis covering North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World (RoW), including Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. It evaluates the market dynamics, including drivers, challenges and emerging trends, while highlighting innovations in material design and performance enhancement. The study concludes with an analysis of major market players and their offerings. The base year for the study is 2024, with projections for the years 2025 through 2030, including compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the forecast period.
The report provides a comprehensive regional analysis covering North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World (RoW), including Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. It evaluates the market dynamics, including drivers, challenges and emerging trends, while highlighting innovations in material design and performance enhancement. The study concludes with an analysis of major market players and their offerings. The base year for the study is 2024, with projections for the years 2025 through 2030, including compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the forecast period.
Report Includes
- 38 data tables and 39 additional tables
- An analysis of the global market and technologies for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)
- Analyses of global market trends, with revenue data from 2024, estimates for 2025, forecast for 2027 and projected CAGRs through 2030
- Estimates of the market’s size and revenue prospects, accompanied by a market share analysis by product type, payload type, application and region
- Facts and figures pertaining to market dynamics, technological advancements, regulations, industry structure, and the impacts of macroeconomic variables
- Insights derived from Porter’s Five Forces model, global supply chain and trade analyses (export/import scenario)
- Patent analysis, and emerging trends and developments in patent activity
- Overview of sustainability trends and ESG developments, with emphasis on consumer attitudes, and the ESG scores and practices of leading companies
- Analysis of the industry structure, including companies’ market shares and rankings, strategic alliances, M&A activity and a venture funding outlook
- Company profiles of major players within the industry, including L3Harris Technologies Inc., Kongsberg Maritime, Teledyne Marine Technologies Inc., SAAB AB, and Exail.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Executive Summary
Chapter 2 Market Overview
Chapter 3 Market Dynamics
Chapter 4 Regulatory Landscape
Chapter 5 Emerging Technologies and Patent Analysis
Chapter 6 Market Segment Analysis
Chapter 7 Competitive Landscape
Chapter 8 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Perspective
Chapter 9 Appendix
List of Tables
List of Figures
Executive Summary
The global market for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) was valued at $2.4 billion in 2024 and is estimated to increase from $2.7 billion in 2025 to reach $5.9 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.7% from 2025 through 2030.AUVs are unmanned, self-guided submersibles used for underwater applications across multiple sectors. These vehicles enable precise data collection, exploration and monitoring in environments that are otherwise difficult or dangerous for human access. AUVs improve the efficiency, safety and depth of underwater operations by offering high-resolution imaging, real-time data transmission and autonomous navigation capabilities.
The AUV market is witnessing strong growth, fueled by increasing demands in defense, oil and gas, environmental observation, and oceanographic research markets. Seabed mapping, pipeline inspection, underwater surveillance and marine habitat analysis are some applications reflecting the benefits of AUVs compared with conventional manned or tethered solutions. Offshore energy development expansion, rising maritime security issues, and the requirement for high-quality underwater information are also fueling adoption.
Companies Mentioned
- Atlas Elektronik Gmbh
- Boston Engineering
- Evologics Gmbh
- Exail
- General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc.
- International Submarine Engineering Ltd.
- Kearfott Corp.
- Klein
- Kongsberg Maritime
- Kraken Robotics Inc.
- L3Harris Technologies Inc.
- Lockheed Martin Corp.
- Oceaneering International Inc.
- Saab Ab
- Teledyne Marine Technologies Inc.
Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 120 |
| Published | June 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 2.7 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 5.9 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 16.7% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 15 |
