RJE International

What RJE International does

RJE International Inc. is a privately held specialty hardware manufacturer founded in 1991 by Robert Jechart in Irvine, California. The company designs, manufactures, and sells underwater acoustic instruments and, via its Oceanbotics subsidiary, military-grade remotely operated underwater vehicles. Its product portfolio spans four acoustic families — acoustic pingers and transponders (ATT-400 series, ULB-350/362/364 series), acoustic receivers and interrogators (DPR-275, DTI-300A, STI-350, VADR-6000M, DARS), diver navigation boards (TAC-100A/D, TAC-300, BNC-100G) with integrated compass, depth gauge and chronometer, and the Dive-Scan diver sonar — plus the Oceanbotics SRV-8 and SRV-8X ROVs and SRV-8 MDV/ATS special-purpose variants.

The underlying technology is purpose-built underwater acoustic telemetry and analog/digital signal processing, with products rated from shoreline to full ocean depth (the VADR-6000M is depth-rated to 6,000 m) and compliant with Mil-45208, ISO 9001:2015, FAA TSO C121b, UL, CE, ASTM, and ANFOR standards. RJE operates a single 10,000-square-foot manufacturing and engineering facility in Irvine, CA.

RJE generates revenue through one-time hardware sales rather than recurring contracts, sold via direct field sales to military and government customers and through a network of exclusive/authorized international distributors in Canada (Aqua Lung), Italy/NATO (Telsub Lanterna), South Africa/Antarctic (Fisheries Resource Surveys), and China (Qingdao Haiyan Electronics). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; named end-customers include the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, German Navy, Korean Navy, Canadian Navy, Italian military, NATO Special Forces, the Vietnamese Coast Guard, China's National Deep Sea Center, and the U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), with deployments reported in over 50 countries. Product categories cited include mining clearance, special operations, search and recovery (including Air Asia black box recovery), aircraft crash recovery (FAA-certified ULBs historically), and subsea scientific research.

Name

RJE International

Legal name

RJE International Inc.

Website

https://rjeint.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RJE International is a privately held Irvine, California-based manufacturer of underwater acoustic instruments — pingers, transponders, receivers, diver sonar, and navigation boards — and military-grade ROVs via its Oceanbotics subsidiary, serving military, government, and scientific customers across 50+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Underwater Acoustic Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Sonar, Undersea Sensors & Acoustic Detection Systems (IMABAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs) (HDAAAIAH), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms (IMABAIAF), Maritime Unmanned Systems (USV/UUV) & Control Stations (IMABAKAJ)

Keywords

• Underwater acoustic beacons
• Diver navigation equipment
• Subsea transponders
• Military diver sonar
• Underwater locator beacons

Headquarters

HQ city

Irvine

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. Hardware Product Sales: RJE International generates revenue primarily through the sale of physical underwater acoustic products including pingers, transponders, receivers, diver navigation platforms, and sonar systems. Products are sold as one-time purchases with no recurring revenue model indicated.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

RJE International develops, manufactures, and supplies underwater acoustic products — including pingers, transponders, acoustic receivers, diver navigation boards, and diver sonar systems — used to mark, locate, and navigate subsea assets and divers from shoreline to full ocean depth. Through its Oceanbotics subsidiary, the company also designs and builds military-grade remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) for inspection, mine disposal, and acoustic tracking missions.

Product overview

RJE International is a hardware company specializing in underwater acoustic technology with four main product categories. Their Pingers/Transponders line includes acoustic beacons and transponders (ATT-400 series, ULB-350/362/364 series) for marking and relocating equipment underwater. The Receivers/Interrogators category encompasses diver-held, surface, and ROV/AUV-mounted acoustic receivers (DPR-275, DTI-300A, STI-350, VADR-6000M, DARS) for detecting and locating pingers. The Diver Navigation Platforms include the TAC series (TAC-100A, TAC-100D, TAC-300) swim boards with integrated compass, depth gauge, and chronometer, plus the BNC-100G boat console. Diver Sonar products include the Dive-Scan Professional sonar system for depth measurement and obstacle detection. Through their Oceanbotics subsidiary, they offer military-grade ROVs including the SRV-8, SRV-8X, and specialized variants for mine disposal and acoustic tracking. Products serve military (special ops, EOD, mine clearance), commercial (offshore energy, marine research), and scientific applications with products meeting UL, CE, ASTM, ANFOR standards and ISO 9001:2015 certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Oceanbotics: A subsidiary of RJE International that specializes in the design and manufacture of military-grade remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), including the SRV-8 and SRV-8X.

Products and services

• ATT-400 Acoustic Target Transponder Underwater acoustic transponder for depths up to 1000m; when interrogated by STI-350, DTI-300, or VADR receivers, it returns range and bearing up to 750 meters. Programmable as a free-running pinger with up to six months battery life. Variants include the ATT-400EL (18-month extended deployment) and the ATT-400/AODC emergency transponder for diving bells.
• ULB-364 General Purpose Acoustic Beacon Cost-effective acoustic relocation pinger designed for rigorous offshore use, with user-adjustable frequency from 27 to 45 kHz and adjustable pulse repetition rate to extend operational life. Available in long-life (ULB-364EL) variant for up to 18 months deployment.
• ULB-362 Full Ocean Depth Acoustic Location Beacon Underwater location beacon rated for full ocean depth deployment for deep-sea applications. Available with power-loss activation (ULB-362PL) for equipment tracking and recovery.
• ULB-350 Low Cost Location Beacon Free-running pinger for marking equipment and underwater sites to depths of 1,200m; runs up to 60 days continuous signal or three months on programmed time delay from a single 9-volt battery.
• STI-350 Surface Acoustic Receiver Rugged directional receiver providing range and bearing to ATT-400 transponders or acoustic pingers from 8 kHz to 45 kHz; designed for small boat operations with directional hydrophone and adjustable staff assembly, system range up to 750 meters.
• DTI-300A Diver Held Acoustic Receiver Diver-held acoustic receiver with LCD display and electronic compass providing range and bearing to locations marked with ATT-400 transponder or acoustic pinger from 25 kHz to 45 kHz; depth rated to 100m.
• DPR-275 Diver Pinger Receiver Hand-held diver acoustic receiver with LCD display and signal strength meter that tracks and locates acoustic pingers from 5 to 80 kHz; depth rated to 660 ft (200m) with rechargeable battery.
• PRS-275 Pinger Receiver System Convertible pinger receiver system usable as a diver pinger receiver or converted to a surface receiver with a separate directional hydrophone and adjustable staff assembly.
• VADR-6000M Subsea Vehicle Acoustic Receiver Compact rugged passive pinger receiver for ROV/AUV operators tracking acoustic sound sources from 8 kHz to 45 kHz; RS232 protocol for communications, operational depths to 6,000m.
• DARS Diver Asset Recovery System Integrated diver asset recovery system for search and recovery missions, location marking, and operations in poor visibility.
• TAC-100A Diver Navigation Board Analog dive navigation board combining compass, analog depth gauge, and Casio G-Shock dive chronometer with lap timer; available with Imperial or Metric depth gauges. Described as the most commonly used dive navigation board in Special Forces dive lockers worldwide.
• TAC-100D Diver Navigation Board Variant of the TAC-100 navigation board featuring a digital depth gauge (0-330 ft / 0-100m) with Imperial/Metric toggle and digital leg, dive, and surface timers.

Quantifiable outcome

• TAC-100A is the most commonly used dive navigation board in Special Forces dive lockers worldwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Telsub Lanterna S.r.I.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 31 July 2020RJE International partnered with Telsub Lanterna S.r.I. for distribution of acoustic pingers, transponders, acoustic receivers, and military combat swimboards for Special Forces in Italy. The Italian distributor has experience working with Italian military and NATO.
• Fisheries Resource SurveyscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 October 2017RJE partnered with Fisheries Resource Surveys to expand distribution of acoustic pingers, transponders, and receivers into South Africa. The distributor has experience in acoustic surveys in South Africa and Antarctic regions.
• Qingdao Haiyan Electronics Co., LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 August 2017Chinese partner that facilitated RJE International's partnership with China's National Deep Sea Center for deployment of scientific equipment at 6000 meter depths. Qingdao Haiyan Electronics enabled RJE to provide ATT-400 transponders and STI-350 receivers for deep sea research.
• Dukane Seacom Inc.minorOthers · 1 December 2015RJE International sold its ELP-362D and ELP-362M Series of Underwater Locator Beacons product line to Dukane Seacom Inc. This sale was part of RJE's strategy to expand into new product ranges for mission critical products in underwater and aquatic safety markets.
• Teledyne BenthoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2014RJE International acquired the Benthos aviation pinger product line including ELP-362D Underwater Locator Beacon intellectual property and manufacturing capability. Additionally, RJE signed a sales and distribution agreement allowing RJE to market Benthos products to their customers.
• Aqua Lung CanadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2013Exclusive agreement with Aqua Lung Canada in British Columbia to distribute RJE's diver navigation platforms, underwater acoustic beacons, transponders, acoustic receivers, and MCM sonars to the Canadian Navy and professional divers in Canada.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dukane Seacom: Manufacturer of underwater locator beacons (ULBs) for aviation black boxes and emergency distress beacons — acquired RJE's ELP-362D/M Series in 2015, directly comparable product lines.
• Sonardyne: UK-based specialist in underwater acoustic positioning, navigation, and communications for offshore, defense, and scientific markets. Directly competes with RJE in acoustic transponders and USBL positioning for subsea vehicles and divers.
• VideoRay: U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of mission-capable ROVs for defense, security, and commercial applications — directly comparable to Oceanbotics, RJE's ROV subsidiary.
• Aquila Diving: Distributor and manufacturer of professional military and commercial diving equipment including underwater navigation tools — overlaps with RJE's TAC combat diver navigation boards in the special operations market.

Broad incumbents

• EdgeTech: U.S.-based manufacturer of underwater sonar systems, acoustic releases, and subsea imaging equipment — competes with RJE in sonar and acoustic instrument categories for defense and offshore customers.
• Teledyne Benthos: A division of Teledyne Technologies with deep heritage in underwater acoustic releases, pingers, and locator beacons — overlapping with RJE's pinger/transponder product lines, particularly the aviation pinger line RJE acquired and then divested to Dukane Seacom.
• Kongsberg Discovery: Major subsea technology provider offering acoustic positioning (HiPAP), sonar systems, and underwater communication products. Competes with RJE in the underwater acoustic space at the higher-end integrated systems level.
• SAAB Seaeye: Leading global ROV manufacturer (subsidiary of Saab) producing electric underwater robotic systems for defense, offshore, and scientific customers — competes with Oceanbotics at the integrated ROV platform level.

Others

• iXblue (now Exail): French company (operating as Exail) producing acoustic positioning systems, inertial navigation, and autonomous subsea solutions for defense and commercial subsea markets — overlaps with RJE's ROV/AUV acoustic receiver products.

Regional players

• Oceanscan: UK-based distributor and integrator of subsea acoustic equipment (including Sonardyne and other brands) for European defense, scientific, and commercial customers — a regional channel competitor in markets where RJE's distribution is thinner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RJEInt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rje-international-inc-
• Xx.com/rjeint

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 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 RJE International