RS Aqua
RS Aqua is a Portsmouth-based technology supplier, founded in 1982, that provides sensors, systems, and platforms — including US-partnered Autonomous Surface Vehicles — primarily to the UK and Ireland defence market.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersPortsmouth, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What RS Aqua does
RS Aqua is a Portsmouth-based, privately held technology supplier founded in 1982 that provides sensors, systems, and platforms, serving customers in the UK and Ireland. The firm operates with 11-50 employees and operates a website at rsaqua.co.uk; despite the country field being listed as the United States in firmographics, the .co.uk domain, the primary customer geography, and the partnership context all indicate a UK-headquartered business.
The company's core product activity centres on the distribution and support of Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) for defence and maritime applications, brought to market through a strategic partnership with US-based Seasats announced in March 2026. Under this arrangement, RS Aqua acts as the regional channel for Seasats' ASV technology, addressing the need for autonomous maritime capabilities within the UK and Ireland defence sector. No other product lines, patents, certifications, or research publications are documented in the source data.
RS Aqua's business model is best characterised as a specialist distribution and systems-integration operation rather than an original manufacturer. Revenue mechanics, pricing models, and contract structures are not disclosed, and there are no funding rounds, M&A activity, or ownership data available. The firm has no disclosed management team in the source material, and the Seasats partnership is the only documented strategic move, leaving the company's broader commercial trajectory largely undetermined from the supplied information.
RS Aqua firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RS Aqua
- Website
- https://rsaqua.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- RS Aqua is a Portsmouth-based technology supplier, founded in 1982, that provides sensors, systems, and platforms — including US-partnered Autonomous Surface Vehicles — primarily to the UK and Ireland defence market.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RS Aqua industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Sensor Systems and Autonomous Surface Vehicles
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Ship and Boat Building (3366)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- 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), Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs) (HDAAAIAH), Harbor & Coastal Patrol / Waterborne Security (BPAKALAC)
Keywords
Where RS Aqua is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portsmouth
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
RS Aqua business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
RS Aqua product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RS Aqua supplies marine sensors, systems, and platforms for maritime and defence applications. Through its strategic partnership with US-based Seasats, the company distributes and supports Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) for the UK and Ireland defence market, enabling autonomous maritime operations for defence customers.
Product overview
RS Aqua operates as a technology solutions provider and distributor, primarily serving the UK and Ireland defence market. Through their strategic partnership with US-based Seasats, they distribute Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) as a core product offering for maritime and defence applications. The company appears to focus on bringing advanced autonomous marine technology solutions to the defence sector.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Seasats Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) Autonomous Surface Vehicles designed for defence and maritime applications, distributed and supported by RS Aqua in the UK and Ireland defence market under its partnership with US-based Seasats.
- Marine Sensors, Systems, and Platforms General supply of marine sensors, systems, and platforms for maritime monitoring and defence applications, representing the company's foundational product line since its founding in 1982.
Companies that use RS Aqua
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
RS Aqua technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
RS Aqua partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- SeasatscoreRS Aqua has formed a strategic partnership with US-based Seasats to bring Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) to the UK and Ireland defence market. This partnership enables RS Aqua to distribute and support Seasats' autonomous surface vehicle technology for defence applications in the UK and Ireland regions. The collaboration focuses on the defence sector requiring advanced autonomous maritime capabilities.
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights3 records
RS Aqua competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Thales Group: European defence and naval systems prime with active ASV/UUV portfolios. Comparable as a likely competitor-or-partner for UK MOD autonomous maritime contracts that RS Aqua is targeting.
- L3Harris Technologies: Large US defence prime with significant unmanned maritime and autonomy programmes. Provides the benchmark for incumbent competition that small ASV channels like RS Aqua must integrate with or around.
- Ocean Infinity: Operator of one of the world's largest fleets of unmanned surface and sub-surface vehicles for commercial and defence survey missions. Comparable as a large-scale autonomous maritime platform operator pursuing adjacent defence opportunities.
- BAE Systems: UK-headquartered global defence prime with surface ship, autonomous systems and naval combat programmes. The dominant incumbent in the Portsmouth defence cluster and a key competitor for the same ASV programme funding.
Direct peers
- Seasats: US-based designer and manufacturer of autonomous surface vehicles for defence and commercial maritime applications. RS Aqua's strategic technology partner and a direct comparable in the ASV product category.
- Saildrone: US-based developer of wind- and solar-powered autonomous surface vehicles for defence, oceanographic and security missions. Directly comparable as a pure-play ASV supplier pursuing the same defence customer set.
- Kraken Robotics: Canada-based marine technology company supplying underwater sensors, unmanned underwater vehicles and autonomous systems to defence customers. Comparable in mission profile (autonomous maritime sensing) and customer segment.
- Sonardyne: UK-based marine technology supplier of sonars, positioning and autonomous subsea sensing systems. Comparable as a Portsmouth-area marine sensors and systems provider serving overlapping defence customers.
- Maritime Robotics: Norway-based autonomous surface vessel specialist serving defence, hydrographic and offshore customers. Comparable as a European-region ASV peer with overlapping end markets.
Emerging players
- AutoNaut: UK-based designer of unmanned surface vessels for defence and ocean science. Highly relevant as a UK-native ASV competitor addressing the same MOD procurement pathways as RS Aqua.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights4 records
Customer concentration
RS Aqua social profiles
Digital presenceRS Aqua financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RS Aqua leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
RS Aqua funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RS Aqua M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RS Aqua
What does RS Aqua do?
RS Aqua supplies marine sensors, systems, and platforms for maritime and defence applications. Through its strategic partnership with US-based Seasats, the company distributes and supports Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) for the UK and Ireland defence market, enabling autonomous maritime operations for defence customers.
Is RS Aqua a public or private company?
RS Aqua is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was RS Aqua founded?
RS Aqua was founded in 1982. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is RS Aqua based?
RS Aqua is headquartered in Portsmouth, United States, in the North America region.
Who are RS Aqua's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies, Ocean Infinity and BAE Systems. Direct peers are Seasats, Saildrone, Kraken Robotics, Sonardyne and Maritime Robotics. AutoNaut is listed as an emerging player.
Does RS Aqua have an API?
No public API is recorded for RS Aqua.
What industry is RS Aqua in?
RS Aqua's product category is Marine Sensor Systems and Autonomous Surface Vehicles. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAE, Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) & Autonomous Maritime Surface Platforms, with a secondary code of IMABAKAJ, Maritime Unmanned Systems (USV/UUV) & Control Stations. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.