Greensea IQ Wins $18M US Navy Bayonet Underwater Controller Contract

Guest Contributor
Contributor
Greensea IQ has secured an 18.1 million dollar contract from the US Navy to develop and sustain underwater controllers used to operate autonomous and remotely operated maritime systems. The seven-year, sole-source award covers hardware, software and engineering technical services for the Bayonet Underwater Controller, a component intended for special warfare, explosive ordnance disposal and other sensitive underwater operations. The deal reinforces the company's position as a supplier of subsea autonomous solutions to the US defence establishment, with the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific in San Diego serving as the contracting activity.
Details of the Contract Award
The award takes the form of an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract valued at 18,154,710 dollars. Under this structure, Greensea IQ will provide hardware, software and engineering technical services over the life of the agreement. The controllers in question are used to operate autonomous and remotely operated systems in maritime environments. This scope covers both the development and the ongoing sustainment of the technology. The indefinite-quantity format allows the Navy to draw on the company's services as operational needs arise.
The contract carries a seven-year term and was issued on a sole-source basis. It was made under the authority of a specific provision of United States Code governing defence procurement. The Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific in San Diego, California, acts as the contracting activity. A sole-source award of this length indicates a sustained reliance on the supplier for specialised capability. It also reflects the specific technical requirements associated with subsea autonomous systems.
The Bayonet Underwater Controller
At the centre of the contract is the Bayonet Underwater Controller, known as the BUC. This controller is designed to operate autonomous and remotely operated underwater systems in demanding conditions. It is paired with EOD Workspace software to support specialised military tasks. The controller is built on the company's Core open architecture software, allowing for flexibility and integration across systems. This architecture forms the technical foundation for the wider product family.
The controller is intended for a range of sensitive military underwater operations. Company representatives described it as an essential component for personnel conducting special warfare and explosive ordnance disposal. It is also positioned to support other sensitive underwater missions carried out by defence forces. These applications place the controller in high-stakes operational settings where reliability is critical. The emphasis on such missions underlines the specialised nature of the technology.
Read more: Ocean Energy Could Supply 13% of Global Electricity Demand
The Broader Bayonet Product Suite
The controller forms part of a larger technology offering marketed under the Bayonet name. Bayonet is described as a comprehensive technology stack spanning multiple product categories. It includes a scalable lineup of autonomous underwater ground vehicles alongside remote navigation packages. The suite also encompasses mission execution software and training simulators. This breadth allows the product family to address a range of operational requirements from a single technology base.
The suite is designed to function across a wide spectrum of underwater environments. It is built to operate from the surf zone through to deep-sea terrain, covering some of the most challenging conditions. The stated aim is to deliver more efficient and safer missions for naval personnel. By combining vehicles, navigation and software, the suite offers flexible capability that can be adapted to different scenarios. This integrated approach is central to how the company positions the Bayonet range.
Strategic Significance for Greensea IQ
The award strengthens Greensea IQ's standing as a supplier of subsea autonomous technology to defence customers. Company leadership pointed to the maturity of its robotic platforms and software suites. This maturity is presented as a key factor in the company's ability to meet demanding military requirements. Securing a multi-year sole-source contract reinforces that reputation. It positions the company as an established provider within a specialised segment of the defence market.
The contract also reflects the growing role of autonomous systems in maritime defence operations. The Bayonet portfolio is described as enhancing the capability of defence forces across a broad operational environment. By supporting tasks such as explosive ordnance disposal, the technology addresses missions where reducing risk to personnel is a priority. The award therefore aligns commercial opportunity with an operational need for safer underwater operations. It illustrates how autonomous subsea technology is being integrated into military capability.

Guest Contributor
Contributor
This article was contributed by an external writer affiliated with our publication.




