VideoRay

What VideoRay does

VideoRay designs and manufactures underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and is recognized as the largest volume producer of micro/inspection-class ROVs globally. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, the company operates a second technical-support office in San Diego and serves defense, commercial, and scientific markets across North America, Europe (UK, France, Denmark, Netherlands), Australia, and Brazil. Following its November 2024 acquisition by BlueHalo and the May 2025 BlueHalo–AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) transaction, VideoRay now operates as the maritime pillar within AeroVironment's Autonomous Systems segment, alongside a combined workforce of 3,750+ employees.

VideoRay's product platform centers on the modular, open-architecture Mission Specialist family — Defender (heavy-payload intervention), Ally (entry-level), Pro 5 (small-footprint inspection), and the newly launched Wraith (expeditionary UUV with six-degree-of-freedom maneuverability via 10 vectored thrusters). The systems share interchangeable components operating on a single intelligent network, integrate Greensea IQ's EOD Workspace software for navigation, control, and autonomy as standard equipment, and incorporate AI/visualization technology acquired through the October 2023 Blue Ring Imaging deal. Accessories, sensors, and third-party payloads (Depro tooling, RE2 Robotics manipulation, Ballard Marine sensors) extend mission flexibility, and the company commits to 10-year parts and service availability.

The business model combines direct enterprise sales to U.S. federal defense customers (U.S. Navy MESR program $92.6M production contract plus $30.7M IDIQ; U.S. Coast Guard $4.8M contract), an authorized dealer network for commercial and mid-market reach (including Survey Equipment Services and EU distributor Neotek), and recurring service, training, and warranty revenue. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, and customer segments span defense and government, offshore oil and gas, first responders, nuclear energy, science and research, civil inspection, aquaculture, offshore wind, and hydroelectric. ISO 9001:2015 certification (effective June 2025) and partnerships with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and RE2 Robotics reinforce defense and ecosystem positioning.

Name

VideoRay

Legal name

VideoRay LLC

Website

https://videoray.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

VideoRay is the largest volume producer of underwater ROVs globally, serving defense, commercial, and scientific markets with its modular Mission Specialist platform. Now operating as AeroVironment's maritime pillar following the May 2025 acquisition, the company delivers field-swappable ROV systems with integrated autonomy software.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment (3533)

akta.pro primary industry

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms (IMABAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) & Autonomous Submersible Manufacturing (IMAJAOAC), Maritime Unmanned Systems (USV/UUV) & Control Stations (IMABAKAJ), UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL)

Keywords

• Underwater remotely operated vehicles
• Subsea robotic systems
• Marine inspection ROVs
• Autonomous underwater vehicles
• Defense maritime robotics

Headquarters

HQ city

Pottstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ROV Hardware Sales: Sale of underwater remotely operated vehicles including Mission Specialist Defender, Wraith, Ally, and Pro 5 models, along with accessories and spare parts.
2. Defense Government Contracts: Major contracts with U.S. Navy (MESR program - $92.6M contract in May 2024, $30.7M IDIQ follow-on in March 2025) and U.S. Coast Guard ($4.8M contract December 2025) for ROV systems and support services.
3. Service and Support: Technical support, maintenance programs, training services, and extended warranty offerings through the company's support infrastructure and authorized service centers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

VideoRay designs, manufactures, and sells underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) under its Mission Specialist product family, including the Wraith, Defender, Ally, and Pro 5 models. These modular systems integrate interchangeable components on a single intelligent network with Greensea IQ's EOD Workspace software, and are sold to defense, commercial, scientific, and public safety customers worldwide, supported by accessories, training, and service programs.

Product overview

VideoRay is a global leader in underwater robotic systems, producing the Mission Specialist series of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) built on a modular, open-architecture platform. The current product portfolio centers on four Mission Specialist models: the Wraith (next-generation compact UUV with 6-DOF maneuverability), Defender (heavy-payload intervention ROV for defense missions), Ally (entry-level vehicle), and Pro 5 (small footprint inspection ROV). These systems share interchangeable modular components, with Greensea Systems software providing integrated navigation, control, and autonomy. The 2023 acquisition of Blue Ring Imaging added 3D visualization and AI capabilities. Accessories include sensors, tools, and specialized payloads. Legacy products include the Pro 4 series. The company offers 10-year parts and service availability and serves defense, commercial, scientific, and public safety applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mission Specialist: VideoRay's modular, open-architecture ROV product line including Defender, Ally, Pro 5, and Wraith configurations.

Products and services

• Mission Specialist Wraith Next-generation compact expeditionary UUV delivering six-degree-of-freedom maneuverability through 10 vectored thrusters with up to 80 pounds of forward thrust. Built on the open-architecture Mission Specialist design for rapid reconfiguration and modular payload support. Designed for defense and commercial missions requiring extreme agility.
• Mission Specialist Defender Mission Specialist ROV designed for heavier payloads and demanding intervention missions. Uses modular, interchangeable components on a single intelligent network, providing a flexible, customizable platform for specific mission requirements. Serves as the backbone for the U.S. Navy Maritime Expeditionary Standoff Response (MESR) program.
• Mission Specialist Ally Entry-level Mission Specialist vehicle designed for optimal power and lift in a compact design. Features spring-loaded vertical manipulator and choice of two float block options, allowing progression toward Mission Specialist Defender configurations.
• Mission Specialist Pro 5 Small footprint ROV with optimal performance features. 3-thruster system with forward speed of over 4.4 knots, building on Pro 4 capabilities with the modularity, control, and power of Mission Specialist technology.
• Mission Specialist Accessories Range of accessories for Mission Specialist ROV systems, including cameras, LED lighting, thrusters, power supply options, fiber or copper tethers, manipulators, NDT sensors, and imaging/multibeam sonars.
• VideoRay Pro 4 Previous generation inspection-class ROV with 305m depth rating, hydrodynamic improvements, and computer-driven control via VideoRay Cockpit software. Features more than twice the vertical thrust of Pro 3.

Quantifiable outcome

• Parts and service availability guaranteed for 10 years from purchase date
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, regional and minor.

• Survey Equipment Services (SES)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 11 September 2024Expanded dealer agreement (September 2024) to increase reach and customer support in the US, with SES expanding territory in Gulf and mid-Atlantic states. SES has fully outfitted Mission Specialist Defender and two Ally configurations available for demos, rentals, and customer support.
• Greensea IQcoreTechnology or Integration · 18 April 2024Five-year, multi-million dollar strategic partnership (announced April 2024) to advance ROV user experience. Greensea IQ's EOD Workspace software and open architecture platform comes standard with Mission Specialist vehicles, integrating control, navigation, sensors, diagnostics, and data management into a single user interface with advanced navigation, control, and autonomy capabilities.
• Depro ASregionalTechnology or Integration · 8 December 2023Long-term collaboration (expanded December 2023) combining VideoRay ROVs with Depro's subsea tooling for offshore inspection and maintenance. Depro is a leading provider of subsea tooling for the offshore industry.
• NeotekregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 November 2023Letter of Intent signed (November 2023) for EU distribution and service of VideoRay underwater ROVs. Neotek supplies measurement, control, analysis, and data transmission equipment for maritime applications.
• Blue Ring ImagingcoreTechnology or Integration · 4 October 2023VideoRay acquired Blue Ring Imaging (October 2023), a St. Petersburg, Florida-based innovator in 3D visualization, multi-view perception, and simulation for unmanned systems. The acquisition brings AI, AR/VR, and visualization technologies to enhance VideoRay's autonomous operation capabilities and reduce operational costs.
• Lockheed MartinminorOthersPartner logo displayed on VideoRay website indicating ecosystem relationship or collaborative projects.
• Northrop GrummanminorOthersPartner logo displayed on VideoRay website indicating ecosystem relationship or collaborative projects.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Saab Seaeye: Saab's underwater robotics division manufactures electric work-class and observation ROVs for defense, oil & gas, and scientific applications. Directly competes with VideoRay's Mission Specialist series in the inspection/light-work class and shares Saab's broader defense customer footprint.
• Deep Trekker: Canadian manufacturer of portable, battery-powered inspection-class ROVs used across defense, aquaculture, infrastructure, and search & rescue. Direct competitor to VideoRay's Pro 5 and Ally product lines in the smaller-footprint inspection category.
• ECA Group: French defense and robotics company producing underwater autonomous vehicles (AUVs/USVs/UUVs) and mine-countermeasure systems. Directly comparable to VideoRay in defense MCM applications, particularly for European and French Navy customers.
• Exail (formerly iXblue): French company producing autonomous underwater systems, navigation, and sonar solutions for defense and commercial customers. Comparable to VideoRay in autonomous underwater vehicle offerings and serves many of the same naval customers (particularly in Europe).

Broad incumbents

• Oceaneering International: One of the largest subsea robotics operators and manufacturers globally, serving oil & gas, defense, and offshore wind with a much broader service portfolio (including ROV operations). Competes with VideoRay primarily in defense and offshore inspection ROVs and operates at materially larger scale.
• Teledyne Marine: A division of Teledyne Technologies manufacturing a wide portfolio of underwater imaging, sonar, and vehicle products. Overlaps with VideoRay on imaging sonars, cameras, and integrated ROV systems and supplies payloads/components into the broader ROV ecosystem.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Norwegian division of Kongsberg Gruppen supplying subsea systems including AUVs, subsea positioning, and underwater robotics for offshore and defense customers. Competes with VideoRay in defense and offshore inspection applications at much larger scale.
• Forum Energy Technologies: Global provider of subsea robotics, tooling, and equipment for offshore oil & gas, defense, and renewable energy. Competes with VideoRay on ROVs, manipulators, and subsea tooling across inspection and intervention missions.
• Saipem (Subsea Robotics): Italian oil & gas services major operating a fleet of subsea intervention ROVs and supplying subsea engineering services globally. Overlaps with VideoRay in offshore oil & gas inspection and intervention applications at much larger operational scale.

Emerging players

• BlueRobotics: U.S. manufacturer of low-cost, open-source underwater ROV components and complete vehicles primarily targeting hobbyists, education, and light commercial/scientific applications. Represents a price-point threat in the entry-level segment adjacent to VideoRay's Ally product.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VideoRay
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/videorayremotelyoperatedvehicles
• Facebookfacebook.com/VideoRayROVs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/videoray-llc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VideoRay