Optonaval

Name

Optonaval

Legal name

Optonaval GmbH

Website

https://optonaval.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Lighting & Stabilization Systems

NAICS

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

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Electrical Engineering & Power Distribution (Generation, Switchboards, Cabling, Lighting) (IMAJAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG)

Keywords

• Marine lighting systems
• Helicopter landing aids
• Navigation lights
• Maritime stabilization systems
• Naval vessel equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of proprietary lighting systems including HVLAS components (GPI, ADEL, CFDEL, UIL, DEL, PERL-R, etc.), UNL Navigation Light family (masthead, anchor, side, stern, towing, Suez, Panama, NOK lights), and Universal Gimbal Device. Products are manufactured in-house with complete control over software, design, PCB layout, assembly, and testing.
2. System Integration & Engineering Services: Engineering support, system integration, and commissioning services for HVLAS installation on naval and research vessels. Includes custom engineering solutions tailored to unique project requirements.
3. After-Sales Support & Maintenance: Through-life support including web-based system monitoring, on-demand maintenance scheduling, and maintenance agreements with regular on-site surveys. Software updates supported during ship lifetime. Spare parts availability guaranteed.
4. Refit and Modernization: Modernization of existing but outdated installations including local surveys, requirement analysis, and engineered solutions. Project delivery aligned with expectations: timely completion, budget adherence, and technical specifications compliance.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Optonaval designs, manufactures, and integrates Helicopter Visual Landing Aid Systems (HVLAS), Universal Navigation Lights (UNL), and Universal Gimbal Devices (UGD) for superyachts, naval vessels, and commercial ships. Its products enable safe helicopter operations on moving decks and compliant maritime navigation lighting through stabilized LED optics with built-in condition monitoring. The company also delivers custom engineering, refit, and after-sales services, with full in-house control from software and PCB design through assembly and testing.

Product overview

Optonaval offers a portfolio of specialized maritime aviation lighting and optical systems, centered on two main product families: the Helicopter Visual Landing Aid System (HVLAS) for yachts and naval vessels, and the Universal Navigation Light (UNL) family. HVLAS encompasses multiple interconnected products including the GPI (Glide Path Indicator), ADEL (Adjustable Deck Edge Light), CFDEL (Combined Flood & Deck Edge Light), UIL (Universal Indication Light), PDSFL-R (Perimeter/Deck/Service Flood Light), PERL-R (Retractable Perimeter Light), TPPC (Touch Panel Control System), WOB (Wave-Off Button), IWS (Illuminated Wind Sock), and IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit). The UNL family includes navigation lights for various functions (masthead, anchor, side, stern, NUC/RAM/CBD, towing, Suez, Panama, NOK) in standard and UNL-S side-mounted variants. Additionally, the UGD (Universal Gimbal Device) provides stabilized payload platforms. Optonaval also provides services including Custom Engineering, Technical Support/After Sales, Refit and Modernization, and Production capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HVLAS: Helicopter Visual Landing Aid System - comprehensive lighting systems for helicopter landing operations on yachts and naval vessels.
• UNL
• ADEL
• UGD

Products and services

• HVLAS - Helicopter Visual Landing Aid System Comprehensive system of stabilized lighting products (glide path indicators, deck edge lights, perimeter lights, wave-off controls, illuminated wind socks, control panels) that together enable safe helicopter approach and landing operations on yachts and naval vessels in compliance with CAP 437 and STANAG 1445.
• GPI - Glide Path Indicator Stabilized high-power LED system that lets pilots locate the helideck from up to ~5 nautical miles and guides helicopters using green center / amber upper / red lower sectors, compensating ship motion via IMU and servo actuators.
• ADEL - Adjustable Deck Edge Light Perimeter light for nearly deck-even installation on superyacht helidecks, with adjustable vertical position to accommodate varying deck cover thicknesses, available in convex lens or fully flush configurations with optional RGB party-mode LEDs.
• CFDEL - Combined Flood & Deck Edge Light Compact combined light that simultaneously marks the outer limits of the flight deck and illuminates it without dazzling pilots, with integrated multi-sensor health monitoring for high reliability in marine environments.
• UIL - Universal Indication Light Multi-function LED light available in multiple colors and configurations, configurable as Wave-Off Light, Obstruction Light, or Homing Beacon with extended range, housed in seawater-resistant aluminum universal housing.
• PDSFL-R - Perimeter, Deck and Service Flood Light (Retractable) Retractable three-in-one helideck light combining perimeter marking, deck flood lighting, and optional helicopter service lighting, which retracts fully flush with the deck surface so the helipad can be repurposed.
• PERL-R - Perimeter Light (Retractable) Dual-function retractable flight deck light combining Deck Edge Light (>20° elevation) and Perimeter Light functions, with customizable top plates (e.g., teak inlays) for aesthetic integration.
• TPPC - Touch Panel Control System Touch-panel control system for HVLAS operations, available in display sizes from 8" to 19" for roles such as Flight Deck Officer, providing the user interface to control essential HVLAS functions.
• WOB - Wave-Off Button Dedicated bridge or flight-operations control panel for commanding essential HVLAS functions, including Wave-Off and Stop/Go Lights during helicopter operations.
• IWS - Illuminated Wind Sock Day-and-night illuminated windsock designed for CAP 437 helidecks, available as a standalone unit with rechargeable batteries and dismountable, compact packaging for various installation locations.
• IMU - Inertial Measurement Unit High-precision roll, pitch, and heave measurement unit installed on the helideck to support helicopter operations, featuring a wide temperature range and lightweight, compact housing for flexible installation.
• DEL - Deck Edge Light (Navy) Convex deck edge light for naval vessels providing illumination from horizontal upwards, almost flush integrated into the deck, available in convex, flush, and heavy-duty variants with NVG-compatible dimming in 65K steps.
• OFL - Overhead Flood Light Flight deck area flood light with compact housing, optional glare-reduction shaders, customizable colors and beam angles, adjustable to six beam characteristics, and NVG mode support.
• DFS - DeckFinder System High-precision local positioning add-on for the CFDEL enabling automatic take-offs and landings on moving ship decks, developed in partnership with Airbus Defence and Space (DeckFinder) and supporting GNSS-independent all-weather operations.
• UNL - Universal Navigation Light Modular Wheelmark-certified (DNV-GL) navigation light family with universal housing optimized for extreme marine environments, covering masthead, anchor, side, stern, NUC/RAM/CBD, towing, and specialty Suez/Panama/NOK canal lights.
• UNL-S - Universal Navigation Light Side-mounted Side-mounted variant of the UNL family featuring a massive seawater-resistant aluminum universal housing optimized for extreme marine environments and delivered with a connection box for ship installation.
• UGD - Universal Gimbal Device Two-axis stabilized foundation for customer-specific payloads designed for harsh open-sea and naval vessel environments, compensating ship roll and pitch with ~±0.3° accuracy for payloads under 50 kg.
• Custom Engineering Services Tailor-made engineering service covering customization of lights to designer specifications and full custom engineering projects such as high-precision stabilization platforms, from design through implementation.
• Refit and Modernization Services Refit and modernization service beginning with a local survey and customer requirements analysis, then delivering engineered solutions that modernize outdated installations within budget, on time, and to specification.
• Technical Support and After-Sales Services Comprehensive on-site and through-life support including installation, setting-to-work, commissioning, class approval assistance, ship-system interface definition, web-based monitoring, on-demand maintenance scheduling, and software updates.
• Production Services (In-house Manufacturing) In-house manufacturing service covering software development, detailed design, PCB layout, assembly, and testing of Optonaval products to highest standards by experienced professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Stabilization accuracy of ±0.3° for glide path indicators
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and regional.

• GABLER Korea / GABLER Naval TechnologycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 September 2025Strategic partnership expanding global partner network in South Korea and Southeast Asia. GABLER provides market access, local logistics support, and regional expertise for HVLAS solutions. Partnership enables Optonaval to serve naval customers with tailored solutions.
• WISKA IndiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 August 2025Exclusive representative partnership under brand 'OPTONAVAL by WISKA India' covering India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Focus on direct customer support for HVLAS and optical solutions. Provides professional advice, shorter response times, and local expertise.
• Airbus Defence and SpacestrategicTechnology or Integration · 6 November 2024Partnership announced at Euronaval 2024 to integrate Airbus DeckFinder local positioning system with Optonaval's HVLAS. DeckFinder enables high-precision automatic take-offs and landings on moving ship decks. Integration supports both manned and unmanned maritime flight missions. GNSS-independent operations for all-weather capability.
• Andresen YachtsregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 March 2021Sales representative and project manager for Mediterranean market, focusing on newbuild and refit markets particularly in the western Mediterranean. Contact: Aksel J. Andresen.
• Maritime Aviation Co. LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 March 2021UK representative strengthening market presence. Supports both HVLAS product line and UNL navigation lights. Brings expertise in design and certification of maritime helicopter platforms.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Avlite Systems (Sealite): Avlite, part of the Sealite Group, supplies marine and aviation lighting including navigation lights and helideck lighting systems. Comparable in product category and target customer base to Optonaval's UNL and HVLAS offerings.
• Carmanah Technologies: Carmanah (now a division of Sabik) supplies marine navigation lights, aviation obstruction lighting, and helideck lighting solutions. Direct overlap with Optonaval's UNL navigation light family and HVLAS perimeter/deck edge products for commercial and defense marine customers.
• Orga Aviation: Orga Aviation is a Dutch specialist in marine aviation lighting and helideck visual landing aid systems. It is the closest direct competitor to Optonaval's HVLAS line, serving both offshore/naval and superyacht segments with comparable CAP 437 and STANAG-compliant products.
• Tranberg (R. STAHL Group): Tranberg, part of R. STAHL, manufactures marine navigation lights, searchlights, and helideck lighting for commercial and naval vessels. Directly competes with Optonaval's UNL family and HVLAS components in European shipyards and offshore platforms.

Others

• Airbus Defence and Space: Airbus Defence and Space is a strategic technology partner rather than a competitor; the DeckFinder local positioning system integration positions Airbus as an enabling complement to Optonaval HVLAS for unmanned and GNSS-denied maritime aviation operations.
• Moog Inc. Moog produces high-precision motion control and stabilization platforms used in defense and maritime applications. Relevant adjacent technology to Optonaval's Universal Gimbal Device (UGD) and IMU-stabilized GPI, though operating across much broader markets.

Broad incumbents

• Hella Marine: Hella Marine is a well-established brand of marine LED lighting, including navigation and deck lighting, with a much broader product portfolio than Optonaval. While it overlaps in marine lighting categories, it does not specialize in helideck visual landing aids.
• Wärtsilä SAM Electronics: Wärtsilä SAM Electronics supplies integrated navigation, communication, and platform management systems for naval and commercial vessels. Overlaps with Optonaval in marine electrical and lighting subsystems but as part of a much wider ship systems portfolio.

Regional players

• Gabler Naval Technology: Gabler is a German naval equipment specialist supplying masts, weapons stations, and other naval superstructures. Strategic channel partner for Optonaval in South Korea and Southeast Asia, with adjacent naval customer relationships and complementary product lines.
• WISKA Hoppmann & Mulsow: WISKA is a German manufacturer of cable glands, lighting, and marine electrical components, and serves as Optonaval's exclusive representative in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Comparable in marine electrical/lighting scope but focused on different product segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/OPTONAVAL-100193415435228

Compliance1 record

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 Optonaval