Hike Metal and HydroSurv Partner to Deploy USV Platforms in North America

Hike Metal Products has signed a technology licensing agreement with HydroSurv to manufacture, market and support the company's uncrewed surface vessel platforms across Canada and the United States. The agreement extends HydroSurv's commercially proven Rapid Environmental Assessment Vessel technology through an established North American manufacturing partner. The partnership will offer platforms ranging from 2.5 to 6 metres, serving police agencies, research organisations, hydrographic survey companies and government marine operators as demand for uncrewed maritime technology grows across the region.

 

Details of the Agreement

 

Hike Metal has entered a formal licensing arrangement with HydroSurv. The two companies signed a technology licensing agreement to establish the partnership. Under its terms, Hike Metal will manufacture, market and support HydroSurv's vessel portfolio. This coverage extends across both Canada and the United States. The arrangement gives Hike Metal responsibility for the North American market.

The deal advances HydroSurv's international expansion strategy. It marks another step in deploying its Rapid Environmental Assessment Vessel technology internationally. This technology is described as commercially proven in prior deployments. The partnership routes that technology through an established North American manufacturer. This approach combines proven vessel designs with local production capability.

 

Complementary Strengths

 

The partnership brings together two distinct sets of capabilities. Hike Metal contributes manufacturing capability and experience in specialist vessels. HydroSurv provides its portfolio of uncrewed surface vessel platforms. Combining these strengths allows the partnership to serve the North American market. The result is locally manufactured and supported uncrewed vessel solutions.

Local manufacture and support form a central feature of the arrangement. Producing vessels within the region offers advantages for customers. It supports faster delivery and more accessible regional support. This local presence addresses the needs of North American operators directly. It distinguishes the offering from imported alternatives lacking regional backing.

 

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Target Markets and Applications

 

The partnership aims to serve a broad range of organisations. These include police agencies and Ministries of Natural Resources. Research organisations and hydrographic survey companies are also target customers. Other government marine operators complete the range of potential users. This breadth reflects the versatility of uncrewed surface vessels.

The vessels address several growing operational needs. Demand is rising for safer and more efficient survey methods. Applications include hydrographic and geophysical survey work. Subsea asset inspection and oceanographic observation are further uses. Environmental monitoring rounds out the range of tasks the platforms support.

 

The Vessel Range

 

Hike Metal will offer platforms across a range of sizes. These span from 2.5 to 6 metres in length. The battery-electric REAV-28 serves inland and sheltered water operations. It emphasises portability and ease of launch and recovery. This makes it suited to day-work operations in ports, harbours and inland sites.

Larger platforms address more demanding survey requirements. The battery-hybrid REAV-47 is a nearshore platform for multi-day operations. It suits a spectrum of hydrographic, geophysical and oceanographic tasks. The REAV-60 targets longer endurance coastal survey operations. It focuses on large payloads including ROV and towed array systems.

 

Hike Metal's Background

 

Hike Metal brings a long history in shipbuilding to the partnership. The company was founded in 1958 on the shores of Lake Erie. It began by supporting the commercial fishing industry. Over time it evolved into a leading Canadian custom shipbuilder. This heritage provides a foundation for its role in the partnership.

The company's current portfolio spans a wide range of vessels. It designs and manufactures commercial workboats and patrol vessels. Research vessels and search and rescue craft are also part of its output. Ferries, hovercraft and other mission-specific platforms complete the range. This diverse manufacturing experience supports its move into uncrewed vessels.