Skip to content
You can now search across every topic, entity and event.What's new
Oceaneering International
OrganisationUS

Oceaneering International

US subsea engineering and robotics company partnering with Kongsberg on the CAMP XLUUV design.

Last refreshed: 18 July 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Can an offshore oil-rig contractor really help build the US Navy's next submarine drone?

Timeline for Oceaneering International

#7 15 Jul

Kongsberg to design a US Navy drone sub

Autonomous Systems: Land & Sea
View full timeline →

Background

Oceaneering International, a Houston-based subsea engineering and robotics group, was selected on 15 July 2026 alongside Norway's Kongsberg Discovery by the US Defense Innovation Unit to design an extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle for the Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform programme, with concept and system design due in the third quarter of 2026.

Founded in 1964, Oceaneering built its name servicing offshore oil and gas platforms with remotely operated vehicles before extending into subsea robotics, umbilicals and defence-adjacent underwater systems. Its ROV fleet remains one of the largest commercially operated in the world, giving it deep-water engineering experience that transfers directly to military autonomous-vehicle design.

The CAMP contract marks Oceaneering's entry into a next-generation US Navy uncrewed-underwater programme running alongside, and potentially informing, the AUKUS Pillar II seabed-warfare effort, positioning a commercial offshore contractor as a design partner in frontline naval autonomy.

Common Questions
What is Oceaneering International?
A Houston-based subsea engineering and robotics company, founded in 1964, best known for offshore oil and gas remotely operated vehicles, now co-designing a US Navy extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle.Source: Naval Today
Why did the US Navy pick Oceaneering for the CAMP programme?
The Defense Innovation Unit selected Oceaneering alongside Kongsberg Discovery on 15 July 2026 for its deep-water ROV and subsea engineering experience, to design an extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle.Source: The Defense Post
When is the CAMP XLUUV design due?
Kongsberg Discovery and Oceaneering International must deliver concept and system design work in the third quarter of 2026.Source: Naval Today