RTSYS

What RTSYS does

RTSYS Underwater Technologies SAS, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Caudan (Lorient), France, designs and manufactures underwater acoustic hardware and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for civil, scientific, and defence applications. The company operates across four product verticals — Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) via recorders, buoys and seabed stations; Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (COMET-300, COMET-MCM, NemoSens micro-AUV); Mine Countermeasures (SONADIVE diver-held sonar, SONABLOW acoustic firing device, communication/relay beacons); and Anti-Submarine Warfare (SEMA recoverable training target, SIERA sonar measurement system) — all built around a proprietary SDA (Synchronous Data Acquisition) acoustic core technology with an in-house acoustic communication protocol. RTSYS controls end-to-end design and manufacture in France through four integrated engineering poles (software, acoustic signal processing, embedded electronics, and underwater mechanics/robotics), and holds ISO 9001 accreditation with MSFD qualification of its recorders by BSH, TNO, NPL and Malta.

The company generates revenue primarily through direct enterprise sales of hardware to global navies (French, Dutch, Belgian, Indian, Spanish, Malaysian, Royal Australian) and through research/industrial customers in marine renewables, oil & gas, and oceanography, with a multi-million euro typical contract size for defence deliveries. RTSYS supplements direct sales with a global distribution agreement signed in October 2021 with Seatronics (Acteon) and an international distributor network, and bundles proprietary software (including RT-Live Monitor for pile-driving noise mitigation) plus technical support and sea-trial services with hardware sales. The firm was acquired by Seafin in 2012 (financed by Ace Capital Partners), and in November 2021 was taken private again when Sea Vorian — led by Jean-Luc Biache and François-Xavier de Cointet — acquired 100% of the Seafin holding; RTSYS continues to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary alongside sister company Neotek within the new group structure.

Name

RTSYS

Legal name

RTSYS

Website

https://rtsys.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RTSYS Underwater Technologies is a French designer and manufacturer of underwater acoustic systems and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), serving global navies, marine research institutions, and offshore renewables/oil & gas operators across PAM, AUV, MCM, and ASW applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Underwater Acoustic Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Sonar, Undersea Sensors & Acoustic Detection Systems (IMABAGAD), Maritime Unmanned Systems (USV/UUV) & Control Stations (IMABAKAJ), Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) & Autonomous Submersible Manufacturing (IMAJAOAC), Naval Sensors & Sonar Systems (IMABAKAD)

Keywords

• Underwater acoustics
• Autonomous underwater vehicles
• Mine countermeasures
• Anti-submarine warfare
• Passive acoustic monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Caudan

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Underwater Acoustic Hardware Sales: Design and manufacture of underwater acoustic systems and autonomous underwater vehicles sold as turnkey solutions to defense navies, scientific institutions, and industrial companies. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales with multi-million euro contracts typical for defense customers.
2. Passive Acoustic Monitoring Solutions: Sale of PAM product range including underwater acoustic recorders (RESEA, SYLENCE-LP), buoys (RUBHY, RUBHYAI, REMHY), and observatories (SYSENSE) to marine biologists, PAM operators, and protected species observers for environmental monitoring and offshore wind farm development.
3. Software and Software Licensing: Proprietary software provided with all devices for real-time acoustic monitoring and acoustic signature acquisition and analysis, including RT-Live Monitor software for real-time noise mitigation during pile-driving operations. Software is bundled with hardware sales.
4. Professional Services and Support: Technical support services including training, sea trials, calibration, and after-sales support for defense and commercial customers. The company operates a dedicated technical support team and sea test-base in Lorient.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

RTSYS designs and manufactures underwater acoustic systems and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) sold as turnkey solutions to defense navies, scientific institutions, and industrial companies. Its portfolio spans four domains: Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) recorders, buoys and seabed stations; Autonomous Underwater Vehicles including the man-portable COMET-300 and NemoSens micro-AUV; Mine Countermeasures (MCM) including diver-held sonars and acoustic firing devices; and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) recoverable training targets and sonar calibration systems. All products share the proprietary SDA (Synchronous Data Acquisition) acoustic core technology and are produced in-house at the company's Caudan, France headquarters.

Product overview

RTSYS Underwater Technologies designs and manufactures underwater acoustic and autonomous vehicle solutions across four business areas: Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV), Mine Countermeasures (MCM), and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). The PAM portfolio includes the RESEA 4-input and SYLENCE-LP 1-input underwater acoustic recorders for post-processing monitoring, the TRIPOD seabed hydrophone structure, the SYSENSE cabled coastal multisensor station, and the RUBHY, RUBHYAI (with AI analysis), and REMHY buoy products for real-time monitoring. The AUV line comprises the COMET-300 man-portable AUV and COMET-MCM for mine countermeasures, along with the NemoSens micro-AUV. MCM solutions include the SONADIVE diver-held sonar and navigation system, SONABLOW acoustic firing device, Surface Communication Module (SCM), and Positioning & Relay Beacons (PRB). ASW products feature the SEMA recoverable training target and SIERA sonar measurement system. All products share the proprietary SDA (Synchronous Data Acquisition) core technology for acoustic signal processing and low-energy consumption. The company operates across defense, science, and industry markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RTsys Group: Parent group entity that encompasses RTSYS and Neotek
• NemoSens
• COMET
• SEMA
• SONADIVE
• SIERA
• RUBHY
• RESEA
• SYLENCE-LP
• SYSENSE

Products and services

• RESEA The RESEA is a 4-input underwater acoustic recorder designed for PAM operators, Marine Mammal Observers (MMO), and Protected Species Observers (PSO) to implement powerful post-processing monitoring. It offers up to 500 kHz bandwidth and over 100 dB dynamic range, and is provided with RTSYS software and compatibility with open-source tools such as PamGuard.
• SYLENCE-LP The SYLENCE-LP is a low-power 1-input underwater acoustic recorder for cost-effective and reliable acoustic monitoring. It offers up to 256 kHz max bandwidth and over 100 dB dynamic range, and is available in a 22 cm version (35 days non-stop recording) and a 44 cm version (up to 180 days non-stop recording).
• SYSENSE SYSENSE is a cabled coastal multisensor station lying on the seabed of coastal waters, capable of monitoring inshore works in real-time. It displays acoustic and water quality parameters including underwater noise, salinity, turbidity, and water depth through a dedicated remote website for sustainable conduct of coastal construction projects.
• RUBHY The RUBHY is a Wi-Fi remotely-controlled buoy for real-time underwater noise measurements in heavy seas. It acquires data from 4 wide-band hydrophones and simultaneously sends real-time noise information (SEL, SPL, 3rd octave band levels) within a 10 km range, with up to 40 days non-stop recording in sea-state 5.
• RUBHYAI The RUBHYAI is an acoustic buoy with Artificial Intelligence analysis that autonomously detects and classifies various sounds from different sources (human activity, underwater species) without requiring 24/7 PAM operator analysis. It includes automatic detection, classification, and enumeration of cetacean sounds with up to 4 hydrophone inputs.
• COMET-300 The COMET-300 is a man-portable AUV featuring advanced navigation and detection capabilities with real-time position and navigation data displayed from the surface. It is capable of operating as a swarm (up to 10 AUVs) using Sparse-LBL localization while surveying wide areas with side-scan sonars and diverse payloads.
• COMET-MCM The COMET-MCM is an AUV specially designed to assist EOD divers in mine countermeasures operations. It interacts with Surface Communication Modules (SCM) and Positioning & Relay Beacons (PRB), bringing navigation features (GPS, INS, DVL, swarm mode) and payloads (side-scan sonars, magnetometer) to mine warfare while acting as a relay or LBL positioning beacon.
• NemoSens The NemoSens is a small, lightweight micro-AUV (under 1 meter, under 9 kg) designed for scientists and offshore engineers. It offers a modular payload architecture, over 8 hours of endurance at 4 knots, an open Linux-based architecture supporting ROS or MOOS-IVP interfaces, and constant repositioning accuracy to less than 5 m.
• SONADIVE The SONADIVE is a diver-held sonar and navigation system providing a turnkey MCM solution for EOD divers. It features a 12 inch backlit screen, BlueView sonar paired with HD camera, GPS/INS/DVL navigation, and underwater acoustic communication for real-time text messages and position data, with communication range exceeding 2000 m between devices (extendable beyond 5000 m with relay beacon).
• SONABLOW The SONABLOW is an underwater acoustic firing device that replaces electric firing lines with acoustic commands. It consists of a surface communication module connected to a waterproof hydrophone, acoustic receiver, and energy source to fire two underwater electric detonators, integrating into the RTSYS MCM manned-unmanned teaming solution for EOD and combat divers.
• SEMA The SEMA is a recoverable acoustic training target for ASW training and torpedo firing exercises, operable from surface ships, submarines, helicopters, and ASW aircraft. It offers passive, active, and combined acoustic training modes with reconfigurable options in one hour, an acoustic echo-repeater (1 to 33 kHz), and 5 bands for active sonar frequency.
• SIERA The SIERA is a sonar measurement and calibration system used to characterize the performance of underwater acoustic systems such as hull-mounted sonars, dipping sonars, towed sonars, and buoys. It is composed of a processing unit, lightweight towed body, and two winches of electrical cables, and can be used as an acoustic noise maker, repeater, or responder, and for operator training.

Quantifiable outcome

• NemoSens AUV offers over 8 hours endurance at 4 knots, with modular payload system for scientists and offshore engineers at an affordable price
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, key supplier, key and research.

• Seatronics (Acteon)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 October 2021Global distribution agreement signed at Ocean Business 2021 in Southampton, UK. Seatronics distributes RTsys AUVs (Comet-300, NemoSens) and PAM product range (underwater recorders, data buoys, remote stations) through its global bases. The partnership enables combined ROV/AUV campaign operations for scientific mapping, offshore wind farms, inspection, repair and maintenance, search and rescue, and mine countermeasures. Both companies performed a live demonstration of the Comet-300 AUV at the announcement.
• Teledyne Marinekey supplierTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2021Teledyne Marine supplied RTsys with ten RDI Pathfinder Doppler Velocity Logs and five BlueView M900-2250-130 imaging sonars. These components are integrated into RTsys products including SonaDive diver-held sonar, SEMA ASW training target, COMET-300 and NemoSens AUV. The purchase confirms RTsys's rapid and significant growth in MCM, ASW, and AUV markets.
• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)keyChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2021BEL, an Indian public sector undertaking defense electronics company, awarded RTsys a contract for delivery of 2 SIERA sonar measurement and calibration systems for the Indian Navy, enabling characterization and calibration of new generation hull-mounted and variable depth sonars.
• SafeWAVE Project ConsortiumresearchStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019RTsys is a partner in the SafeWAVE project, a European initiative to remove non-technological barriers to ocean energy development. RTsys deployed COMET-300 and NEMOSENS µAUV around the WAVEGEM hybrid wave energy platform at SEM-REV for environmental monitoring and seabed impact assessment. Data collected is analyzed and compared with other European MRE test sites.
• Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench defense procurement agency has partnered with RTsys on numerous R&D programs to design miniaturized underwater acoustic and robotics products without compromising performance or cost. DGA partnership has been cited in the context of advanced product development including SEMA-MKII and other defense solutions.
• Pôle Mer Bretagne-AtlantiqueresearchStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompetitiveness cluster certified the NemoSens micro-AUV project and has been a partner in multiple R&D programs with RTsys for underwater acoustics and marine robotics innovation in the Brittany-Atlantic region of France.
• European Defense FundresearchStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Defense Fund has partnered with RTsys on R&D programs to design miniaturized underwater acoustic products, contributing to European defense capability development in submarine acoustics and robotics.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Ocean Infinity: US/UK-based unmanned maritime data and operations company operating large AUV/USV fleets for survey, offshore wind, and defense. Overlapping customer base in offshore wind and survey, but operates as a service provider rather than an equipment manufacturer.
• BlueRobotics: US-based low-cost underwater robotics and acoustic component supplier. Adjacent in underwater vehicle space but focused on smaller commercial/research platforms rather than defense-grade AUVs.

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies: US defense prime with broad sonar, unmanned maritime, and acoustic processing portfolio. Competes with RTSYS in naval sonar and ASW markets globally, especially for US and allied procurement.
• Thales: French defense prime with extensive sonar, sonar arrays, and unmanned maritime systems business. Operates in same naval acoustic and ASW markets as RTSYS but at much larger scale as an incumbent platform integrator.
• Teledyne Marine: Large US-headquartered portfolio of marine sensors, sonars, DVLs, and imaging systems. Both supplier (RTSYS integrates Teledyne DVLs/BlueView sonars) and broad incumbent competitor across AUV payloads and hydroacoustic instrumentation.

Direct peers

• Sonardyne: UK-based specialist in underwater acoustic positioning, navigation, and communication systems. Closely comparable to RTSYS in underwater acoustic technology used by navies, offshore, and oceanographic customers.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Norwegian provider of HUGIN AUV family, sonar suites, and underwater positioning. Closest direct competitor in naval AUV and hydroacoustics, with global navy customer base comparable to RTSYS's.
• Exail (formerly ECA Group / iXblue): French-headquartered unmanned maritime specialist offering AUVs (A18, A9), MCM systems, sonar, and inertial navigation. Directly comparable to RTSYS across defense AUV, MCM, and underwater acoustics, with similar French naval customer base.
• Atlas Elektronik (ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems): German naval sonar, AUV (SeaFox, ARCIMS), and MCM house. Direct peer in naval acoustic systems, mine countermeasures, and unmanned underwater platforms for European and export navies.
• Saab (Seaeye / Sabertooth): Swedish defense group with Sea Wasp and Sabertooth AUVs for MCM and subsea inspection, plus towed sonar systems. Direct competitor in unmanned MCM and ASW training markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rtsys
• Xx.com/rtsys_

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about RTSYS