Oshen

What Oshen does

Oshen is a marine autonomy specialist developing uncrewed surface systems for defense and maritime security applications. The company's flagship product, C-STARS (Compact Strategic Terrain Autonomous Response System), is an uncrewed surface vessel integrating micro-drones equipped with hydrophones for distributed acoustic underwater monitoring. These autonomous sensing networks are designed to support maritime surveillance, subsurface communications, and enhanced underwater acoustic monitoring for security applications.

The company operates within the UK defense innovation ecosystem. Its primary program is a co-developed project led by ZeroUSV, in which Oshen's C-STARS micro-drones are deployed from ZeroUSV's Oceanus12 vessel; SEA (a Cohort plc Group company) supplies the hydrophone technology integrated into the system. The project is funded through the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and supported by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), with operations based at Turnchapel Wharf in Plymouth, United Kingdom.

Oshen generates revenue through hardware sales of autonomous maritime surveillance systems and participation in publicly funded defense R&D programs. Its customer base is concentrated in UK defense agencies and maritime security organizations, with go-to-market executed via direct engagement with defense procurement channels rather than commercial marketing. The company was founded in 2016, is privately held, has 1-10 employees, and is led by founder and CEO Patrick McDonald. Notably, the oshen.com web domain is currently a parked GoDaddy page, indicating minimal public-facing commercial presence.

Name

Oshen

Website

https://oshen.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Oshen is a marine autonomy specialist developing the C-STARS uncrewed surface system with integrated hydrophones for distributed acoustic underwater monitoring, serving UK defense and maritime security customers through DASA-funded innovation programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autonomous Maritime Defense Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Ship and Boat Building (3366)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) & Autonomous Maritime Surface Platforms (IMABAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maritime Unmanned Systems (USV/UUV) & Control Stations (IMABAKAJ), Sonar, Undersea Sensors & Acoustic Detection Systems (IMABAGAD)

Keywords

• Marine autonomy
• Uncrewed surface vessels
• Autonomous maritime surveillance
• Acoustic monitoring systems
• Distributed sensing networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Westwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Defense and Maritime Security Technology: Revenue generated through development and deployment of autonomous maritime surveillance systems to defense and government customers. The company participates in publicly funded defense innovation programs, indicating a mix of R&D funding and product/solution sales.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

Oshen develops and deploys the C-STARS (Compact Strategic Terrain Autonomous Response System), an uncrewed surface vessel system that integrates micro-drones with hydrophones to create distributed underwater acoustic monitoring networks. The system is designed for autonomous maritime surveillance, subsurface communications, and security applications, targeting UK defense and maritime security organizations.

Product overview

Oshen is a marine autonomy specialist offering the C-STARS uncrewed surface system as its primary product. C-STARS consists of micro-drones equipped with hydrophones for acoustic underwater monitoring, designed for integration into autonomous sensing networks for maritime surveillance and security applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• C-STARS (Compact Strategic Terrain Autonomous Response System) Uncrewed surface system featuring micro-drones integrated with hydrophones for acoustic underwater monitoring and distributed acoustic sensing network deployment, designed for autonomous maritime surveillance and security applications. Targeted at UK defense agencies and maritime security organizations.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SEA (Cohort plc Group)coreTechnology or Integration · 9 April 2026SEA is providing hydrophones to Oshen for integration into its C-STARS uncrewed surface system. This enables acoustic underwater monitoring capability within the autonomous sensing network, combining SEA's hydrophone technology with Oshen's autonomous surface drone platform.
• ZeroUSVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2026ZeroUSV is leading the autonomous underwater acoustic sensing network project. The company provides its Oceanus12 vessel for deploying Oshen's C-STARS micro-drones to create distributed acoustic monitoring networks. This is a co-development partnership for maritime surveillance applications.
• Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDstl is supporting the autonomous underwater acoustic sensing network project as part of broader UK efforts to develop distributed autonomous approaches to maritime surveillance and security. The laboratory provides defense science and technology expertise.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ZeroUSV: ZeroUSV is the lead partner on the same DASA-funded project, providing the Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vessel that hosts Oshen's C-STARS micro-drones. It is the most directly comparable peer as it builds and operates autonomous USVs for maritime surveillance.
• SEA (Cohort plc): SEA supplies the hydrophones integrated into Oshen's C-STARS system and is part of AIM-listed Cohort plc. Directly comparable as a provider of underwater acoustic sensing technology deployed from maritime platforms for defence customers.
• Saildrone: Saildrone builds and operates wind- and solar-powered uncrewed surface vessels for ocean data collection, including defence and security missions. Directly comparable as an autonomous USV operator serving maritime domain awareness use cases with government customers.
• Ocean Infinity: Ocean Infinity operates large fleets of autonomous uncrewed surface and underwater vehicles for subsea surveying and maritime surveillance. Comparable as an integrator of autonomous maritime platforms delivering data products to government and defence clients.
• Sonardyne: Sonardyne manufactures underwater acoustic positioning, navigation, and sensing systems used in defence and commercial maritime applications. Directly comparable as a specialist in subsea acoustic technology that integrates with USV and UUV platforms.

Broad incumbents

• Kongsberg Maritime: Kongsberg Maritime supplies marine autonomy, navigation, and acoustic sensor systems as part of its broader maritime technology portfolio. Comparable as an incumbent offering USV control systems and sonar/acoustic payloads that overlap with Oshen's stack.
• Thales Group: Thales is a major defence prime with significant naval and sonar portfolios including underwater acoustic detection systems and autonomous maritime solutions. Comparable as an incumbent that competes for the same UK and allied naval autonomy and sensing budgets.
• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris provides naval sonar, undersea sensing, and autonomous maritime systems as part of its broader defence electronics portfolio. Comparable as an incumbent supplier of acoustic detection and naval C4ISR capabilities to defence customers.
• Liquid Robotics (Boeing): Liquid Robotics, a Boeing subsidiary, builds wave- and solar-powered Wave Glider USVs for persistent maritime surveillance and data collection. Comparable as an established uncrewed surface vessel operator serving defence and government maritime surveillance customers.
• Atlas Elektronik (ThyssenKrupp): Atlas Elektronik supplies naval sonar, unmanned underwater vehicles, and maritime combat systems to defence customers globally. Comparable as an incumbent provider of underwater acoustic sensors and unmanned maritime platforms serving similar naval surveillance use cases.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/oshentxt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Oshen