SubSea Craft
SubSea Craft is a UK-based maritime technology company founded in 2014 that designs and manufactures advanced dual-domain surface and subsurface platforms (VICTA, MARS, CADDIS) for naval, special operations, and allied defence forces across the UK, US, Australia, Greece, and Japan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersPortsmouth, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SubSea Craft does
SubSea Craft Limited is a UK-based maritime technology company founded in 2014 that designs, develops, and manufactures advanced surface and subsurface platforms for naval and special operations forces. The company operates a three-platform product family built on a shared open-architecture command-and-control backbone: VICTA, a dual-domain surface/submersible craft for covert delivery of divers and payloads (40kts surface, 250nm endurance; 4hr submersible, 25nm with 2 crew and 6 divers); MARS, a low-signature uncrewed surface vessel for multi-mission contested-environment operations that was developed from concept to tested platform in 100 days and has now entered production; and CADDIS, a subsurface-launched unmanned aerial vehicle for ISR and effects without surfacing the host platform. All three platforms are designed for interoperability with allied naval systems and align with AUKUS Pillar II priorities in maritime autonomy, rapid capability delivery, and manned/unmanned teaming.
The company serves a narrow customer base of sovereign naval and defence forces, with named engagements including the UK Royal Navy (Atlantic Bastion demonstrations), the US Navy, the Hellenic Navy, and the Japanese Self Defence Force (via Nippon Kaiyo representation). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales through direct engagement with defence ministries and procurement agencies, augmented by regional channel/manufacturing partnerships: Skaramangas Shipyards in Greece for local production, Nippon Kaiyo for Japan, Global Technical Systems for the US, and Australian Maritime College for testing. Revenue mechanics are quote-based, multi-year defence procurement contracts; pricing is not publicly disclosed.
SubSea Craft is privately held and appears to be founder-/operator-funded with no disclosed venture capital, private equity, or public-market financing. Headcount has grown to over 150 employees as of July 2025, supported by offices and facilities in Portsmouth (HQ and Design & Engineering), Portland (Trials, Testing & Training), Virginia Beach (US regional HQ, established May 2026), Beauty Point, Tasmania (R&D facility from early 2026), and Athens/Agia Paraskevi (EU subsidiary). Leadership comprises CEO Camilla Martin and Chair Dame Penny Mordaunt (former UK Secretary of State for Defence, appointed January 2025). The company holds ISO 9001/14001/45001, JOSCAR, Cyber Essentials, and Carbon Neutral certifications, and is a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.
SubSea Craft firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SubSea Craft
- Legal name
- SubSea Craft Limited
- Website
- https://subseacraft.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SubSea Craft is a UK-based maritime technology company founded in 2014 that designs and manufactures advanced dual-domain surface and subsurface platforms (VICTA, MARS, CADDIS) for naval, special operations, and allied defence forces across the UK, US, Australia, Greece, and Japan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SubSea Craft industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Defense Platforms
- NAICS
- Ship and Boat Building (33661), Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Maritime Unmanned Systems (USV/UUV) & Control Stations (IMABAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) & Autonomous Maritime Surface Platforms (IMABAIAE), Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs) (HDAAAIAH), Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) & Autonomous Submersible Manufacturing (IMAJAOAC), Unmanned Naval Vessels (USV/UUV) (IMAJABAH)
Keywords
Where SubSea Craft is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portsmouth
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
SubSea Craft business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Maritime Platform Sales: Sale of advanced maritime platforms including VICTA (diver delivery unit), MARS (unmanned surface vessel), and CADDIS (UAV). Platforms are sold to naval and defense forces globally with customization for specific operational requirements.
- Defense Contracts: Government defense contracts for development, testing, and production of maritime capabilities aligned with AUKUS Pillar II initiatives and national defense modernization programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Defense-grade maritime platforms |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
SubSea Craft product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SubSea Craft designs, develops, and manufactures advanced maritime platforms for defence and security customers. Its core offerings are three proprietary hardware platforms: VICTA, a dual-domain surface-and-subsurface craft for covert operator and payload delivery; MARS, a multi-purpose uncrewed surface vessel (USV) for autonomous operations in contested environments; and CADDIS, a subsurface-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for above-surface effects. The platforms share an open-architecture command and control system, modular payload configurations, and a fly-by-wire control system, sold to naval forces and defence ministries globally.
Product overview
SubSea Craft is a UK-based maritime technology company that designs, tests, and manufactures advanced maritime platforms for defence and security operations. The product portfolio consists of three distinct next-generation platforms: VICTA (a dual-domain surface-subsurface craft for covert operator and payload delivery), MARS (an uncrewed surface vessel for autonomous multi-mission operations), and CADDIS (a subsurface-launched UAV for aerial effects). VICTA operates as a manned, remotely controlled, or autonomous platform combining surface speed with submersible stealth. MARS provides scalable autonomous surface capability for contested environments. CADDIS extends operational reach from subsurface platforms. The platforms share common digital architecture, open interfaces, and are designed for interoperability under AUKUS Pillar II initiatives. All three platforms are designed, developed, and manufactured in the UK with testing and validation partnerships in Australia and the United States.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- VICTA Next-generation multi-domain (surface-to-subsurface) diver and payload delivery platform combining high-speed surface transit (up to 40kts, 250nm endurance) with seamless transition to subsurface mode (4hrs underwater endurance, capable of navigating 25nm with 2 crew and 6 divers) for covert deployment of operators and equipment. Deployable across land, air, or sea, capable of manned, remote, or autonomous control. Sold to naval and special operations forces globally.
- MARS Uncrewed surface vessel (USV) designed for projection from medium to large surface platforms. Low-signature and high-speed, delivering scalable multi-mission capability in contested environments. Supports Maritime Domain Awareness, Persistent ISR, Counter UxS, and Full Spectrum ISTAR Operations. Equippable with active and passive sensors, camera suites, or loitering munitions. Manufactured in UK, trialled in Australia, tested with US payloads. Sold to naval forces globally.
- CADDIS Subsurface-launched and controlled unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that delivers precision ISR or other effects from above the surface without compromising subsurface platform position. Allows small, self-contained units of operators to maintain situational dominance while remaining undetected. Designed to be discreetly launched by hand from various subsurface platforms with no bespoke launch mechanism. Sold to naval and special operations forces.
Quantifiable outcome
- VICTA achieves 40kts surface speed with 250nm endurance, 4hrs subsurface endurance navigating 2 crew and 6 divers for 25nm
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use SubSea Craft
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SubSea Craft technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature5 records
SubSea Craft partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered important and core.
- Global Technical SystemsimportantLocal Virginia Beach partner supporting SubSea Craft's US expansion. Collaboration with local company in one of the world's most concentrated maritime and defense ecosystems. CEO Terry Spitzer expressed pride in supporting SubSea Craft's advanced maritime capabilities.
- Persistent Shadow ConsortiumcoreConsortium headed by SubSea Craft for Atlantic Bastion anti-submarine warfare demonstration. Includes VRAI, Rafnar, Forcys, Viasat, ACUA Ocean, Capgemini, Leonardo, and GreenRoom Robotics. Delivered anti-submarine warfare concept anchored by MARS USV demonstrating force multiplying effect and integration capabilities.
- Greenroom RoboticscoreStrategic collaboration with Australian company Greenroom Robotics to enhance autonomous capabilities of SubSea's expanding family of interoperable systems. Teaming agreement advancing MARS platform through integration of Greenroom's autonomous technology. Aligns with AUKUS Pillar 2 objectives for maritime autonomy and technological synergy.
- Australian Maritime CollegecorePartnership to launch R&D, Innovation and Testing Facility at AMC's Beauty Point campus in Northern Tasmania. New facility spanning approximately 250 square metres with direct waterfront access for development and validation of next-generation maritime products. Builds on AMC's reputation as Australia's leading maritime research institution.
- Nippon KaiyocoreNippon Kaiyo serves as representative for VICTA in Japan. Tokyo-based company specializing in distribution and support of advanced marine equipment and systems for defence and maritime industry. Enables supply of cutting-edge capabilities to Japanese Self Defence Force.
- Skaramangas ShipyardscorePartnership with NAFS Hellas / Skaramangas Shipbuilding for manufacture and servicing of advanced naval engineering platforms including VICTA. Establishes dedicated Innovation Hub supporting Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation. Positions Greece at forefront of next-generation maritime technology and regional security innovation.
- CapewellimportantSuccessful demonstration of VICTA's compatibility with Capewell's Universal Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery System (UMCADS). System allows VICTA to be transported and deployed over long ranges from military aviation assets. Validates universal nature of UMCADS system for aerial delivery of watercraft.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
SubSea Craft competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Saildrone: US-based designer and manufacturer of unmanned surface vessels for defense, security, and ocean data missions. Directly comparable as a pure-play USV builder serving allied naval forces with similar end customers (US Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy).
- SEA-KIT International: UK-based designer of long-endurance unmanned surface vessels for offshore, hydrographic, and defense applications. Direct peer in vessel design, naval customer targeting, and UK/Sovereign capability positioning.
Emerging players
- Anduril Industries: US defense technology company rapidly expanding into maritime autonomy (Dive-LD XLAUV, Bolt-M, Seabed Sentry). Competes for the same AUKUS-aligned autonomy programs with a much larger capital base and broader autonomy stack.
- Maritime Robotics: Norwegian specialist in unmanned surface vessels for defense, hydrography, and security applications. Comparable as a smaller, specialist USV developer targeting naval and security customers with similar open-architecture philosophy.
- Ocean Infinity: Marine robotics and ocean data company operating large fleets of unmanned surface and underwater vehicles. Comparable business model pairing unmanned maritime platforms with multi-mission autonomy for defense, government, and commercial customers.
Broad incumbents
- L3Harris Technologies: Large US defense prime with established unmanned maritime (ASW USVs, Iver UUVs) and naval communication portfolios. Competes for the same naval procurement budgets with deeper balance sheet and prime-contractor status.
- Atlas Elektronik (Thales): Subsidiary of Thales Group specializing in naval mine countermeasures, UUVs (SeaFox), and unmanned maritime systems. Direct overlap on UUV and ASW-related platforms sold to European and allied navies.
- Kongsberg Maritime: Norwegian maritime technology company producing HUGIN AUVs and naval combat systems. Closest European peer in autonomous underwater platforms and naval command-and-control interoperability.
- BAE Systems: UK-headquartered global defense prime with naval shipbuilding and unmanned systems programs. Competes directly for Royal Navy and AUKUS maritime autonomy contracts at prime-contractor scale.
- Thales: Global defense and naval systems prime with undersea warfare, sonar, and unmanned maritime capabilities. Competes across the same AUKUS-aligned allied naval customer set as SubSea Craft.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SubSea Craft social profiles
Digital presenceSubSea Craft compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
SubSea Craft financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SubSea Craft leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
SubSea Craft subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SubSea Craft funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SubSea Craft M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SubSea Craft
What does SubSea Craft do?
SubSea Craft designs, develops, and manufactures advanced maritime platforms for defence and security customers. Its core offerings are three proprietary hardware platforms: VICTA, a dual-domain surface-and-subsurface craft for covert operator and payload delivery; MARS, a multi-purpose uncrewed surface vessel (USV) for autonomous operations in contested environments; and CADDIS, a subsurface-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for above-surface effects. The platforms share an open-architecture command and control system, modular payload configurations, and a fly-by-wire control system, sold to naval forces and defence ministries globally.
Is SubSea Craft a public or private company?
SubSea Craft is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SubSea Craft founded?
SubSea Craft was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SubSea Craft based?
SubSea Craft is headquartered in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does SubSea Craft make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Maritime Platform Sales are the primary driver. The others are defense Contracts.
Who are SubSea Craft's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Saildrone and SEA-KIT International. Emerging players are Anduril Industries, Maritime Robotics and Ocean Infinity. Broad incumbents are L3Harris Technologies, Atlas Elektronik (Thales), Kongsberg Maritime, BAE Systems and Thales.
Does SubSea Craft have an API?
No public API is recorded for SubSea Craft.
What industry is SubSea Craft in?
SubSea Craft's product category is Maritime Defense Platforms. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAKAJ, Maritime Unmanned Systems (USV/UUV) & Control Stations, with a secondary code of IMABAIAE, Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) & Autonomous Maritime Surface Platforms. Its NAICS code is 33661 and its SIC code is 3812.