Global Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026

Global Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Market By Type (Surface, Sub-Surface), Application (Defence, Scientific Research, Commercial, Others), Mode Of Operation (Remotely Operated Surface Vehicle, Autonomous Surface Vehicle), Size (Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large), Systems (Propulsion, Communication, Payload, Chassis Material, Component, Software), Endurance (<100 hours, 100-500 hours, 500-1000 hours, >1000 hours), Hull Type (Kayak, Catamaran, Trimaran, Rigid Inflatable Hull), Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026

Market Analysis: Global Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Market 

Global unmanned surface vehicle market is expected to rise to an estimated value of USD 1528.77 million by 2026, registering a healthy CAGR in the forecast period of 2019-2026. This rise in market value can be attributed to rising demand for maritime security and the need for ocean data & mapping, globally.

Market Definition: Global Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Market 

Unmanned surface vehicles are those marine vessels/vehicles that wok autonomously on or below water surface without the interference and involvement of humans. They are being highly adopted in oceanology because of their low cost and increased flexibility as compared to conventional weather ships and research vehicles. They are extensively used for a wide range of military and commercial operations as they reduce the risk to operators in the manned surface vehicles.

Market Drivers:

• Increased research and development in the field of oceanography and hydrography
• Rising need for monitoring ocean quality and anti-submarine warfare
• The growing need for highly advanced, trustable and reliable USVs , especially in the military sector drives the growth of this market
• Increasing contamination of the ocean fresh waters and the need to prevent the contamination accelerates the growth of USVs

Market Restraints:

• Availability of low cost unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) and remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) would hinder the growth of this market
• The lack of capability of collision detection of the USVs would restrain the growth of this market

Segmentation: Global Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Market 

By Type

• Surface
• Sub-Surface

By Application

• Defence
  • Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR)
  • Mine Countermeasures
  • Maritime Security
  • Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
  • Electronic Warfare
  • Special Operation Forces
  • Maritime Interdiction Operation Support
  • Marine Targetry
  • Firefighting
  • Others
• Scientific Research
• Commercial
  • Ocean Data Collection
  • Oil & Gas Exploration
  • Oceanographic & River Mapping Study
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Seabed Mapping
  • Hydrographic Survey
  • Marine Salvage & Debris Removal
• Others

By Mode Of Operation

• Remotely Operated Surface Vehicle
• Autonomous Surface Vehicle

By Size

• Small
• Medium
• Large
• Extra Large

By System

• Propulsion
  • Diesel/Gasoline Engine
  • Solar
  • Hybrid
  • Electric
  • Others
• Communication
  • Radio
  • Wi-Fi
  • Satellite
  • Uhf/Vhf
  • Others
• Payload
  • Cameras
  • Sensors
  • Sonar
    • Dipping Sonar
    • Sidescan Sonar
  • X-Band Marine Radars
  • Visual Systems
  • LiDAR
  • Echo Sounders
  • Towed Array
  • Mini Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
  • Expandable Mine Neutralizers
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
  • Geotechnical Seabed Data Collector
  • Underway Water Column Profilers
  • Others
• Chassis Material
  • Aluminum
  • Carbon Composites
  • Fiberglass
  • Others
• Component
  • Motor
  • Navigation, Guidance and Control (NGC) System
  • Hardware
• Software

By Endurance

• <100 hours
• 100-500 hours
• 500-1000 hours
• >1000 hours

By Hull Type

• Kayak (Single Hull)
• Catamaran (Twin Hulls)
• Trimaran (Triple Hulls)
• Rigid Inflatable Hull

By Geography

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Turkey
  • Belgium
  • Netherlands
  • Switzerland
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • South Korea
  • India
  • Australia
  • Singapore
  • Malaysia
  • Indonesia
  • Thailand
  • Philippines
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa
  • South Africa
  • Egypt
  • Saudi Arabia
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Israel
  • Rest of Middle East and Africa

Key Developments in the Market:

• In January 2018, Textron Systems signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). With this agreement, Textron would provide and develop for the US Navy unmanned surface weapons including surface missiles, designators, sensors, and remote weapon stations. Thereby ensuring control and significant monitoring, mapping of operations of the navy.
• In September 2018, ASV Global, LLC was purchased by L3 Technologies, a provider of security and detection systems. With this acquisition, L3 would expand its product portfolio by enriching its capabilities in unmanned maritime vehicles. The safety and reliability would improve in the autonomous navigation in the marine applications, with improvised and innovative developments in USVs.