On 14 September Quantum Systems, already attracting attention for its range of UAS and UGVs, announced its expansion into the maritime domain and introduced its first two unmanned maritime systems – Seavex and Subvex, designed for persistent surveillance, critical infrastructure protection and counter-UAS operations.
The launch took place in Portugal on the fringes of an exercise co-organised by the Portuguese Navy, FEUP, NATO CMRE, NATO JCGMUS and EDA. The two new systems will test and validate capabilities as part of sea trials, extending Quantum Systems’ autonomous capabilities above and below the waterline in an operational environment.
Quantum’s expansion comes as maritime security is gaining strategic importance, with coastlines, ports and critical marine infrastructure facing a growing need for persistent surveillance. At the same time, threats increasingly span the air, surface and underwater environment, requiring information from across the waterline to be detected, connected and understood as part of one operational picture.
“Maritime operations have a fundamental challenge: the areas are vast, while crews and assets are limited,” commented Dirk Zademack, VP Quantum Maritime at Quantum Systems. “In the air and on land, we have built an ecosystem in which unmanned systems operate together rather than individually. We are now applying the same principle at sea with Seavex and Subvex: extending collaborative presence on the water and below the surface and compiling the information for the operator.”
Seavex is a long-endurance (up to two months mission time) USV designed for persistent ISR missions. It includes surveillance radar, counter-drone radar and EO sensors with onboard AI processing. Furthermore, Seavex can launch and recover UAS while docking, recharging and retrieving mission data from UUVs.
Subvex is an AI-enabled UUV designed for autonomous ISR missions at depths of up to 6,000 metres. Equipped with sonar and acoustic sensors as well as onboard edge processing, the system can operate for up to four days in active movement and supports distributed operations with multiple Subvex vehicles. It can also remain on the seabed in passive surveillance mode for persistent underwater monitoring for weeks at a time.
Both systems are fully integrated into MOSAIC UXS, enabling their deployment alongside unmanned air and ground systems through a common software architecture. The result is an interoperable system across air, land and sea that can be expanded with additional platforms, sensors and third-party technologies. Together, they extend reconnaissance from the surface into the deep sea and support missions including the protection of critical maritime infrastructure, maritime border security, anti-submarine surveillance and blue-water surveillance. Their integration into MOSAIC UXS enables sensor information from different systems and domains to be combined within a single operational environment.
The launch marks the next step in Quantum Systems’ consistent expansion as a global deep-tech defence prime. The company has expanded beyond aerial systems into a broader portfolio of unmanned capabilities, while building the software, AI and system integration expertise to connect them. With MOSAIC UXS as the common software backbone, Quantum Systems brings these capabilities together into an integrated, scalable system.
“The real step forward is not adding another domain. It is connecting them,” explained Florian Seibel, founder and Co-CEO. “With Seavex and Subvex integrated into MOSAIC UXS, we are building one autonomous system across air, land and sea. That is where unmanned operations are heading, and that is what we are delivering.”
Main image shows an artist’s rendering of the combined operations that Seavex and Subvex are geared for. (Quantum Systems)
