en.Wedoany.com Reported - ZenaDrone, a subsidiary of ZenaTech, has deployed the IQ Aqua Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) for field testing in the Pensacola area of Florida, USA, to validate its mine detection capabilities in real marine conditions while accelerating the development of a faster V2 platform. The testing plan covers controlled aquatic environments and natural open waters, aiming to verify the drone's stability, maneuverability, sensors, and autonomous navigation under various operating conditions. Dr. Shaun Passley, CEO of ZenaTech, stated that underwater mine detection is one of the most pressing gaps in modern naval warfare, with global militaries seeking autonomous alternatives, and the company believes the IQ Aqua can capture a significant share of the underwater drone market, which is expected to grow to over $16 billion in the next decade.
Mines are low-cost to deploy and difficult to detect, while traditional clearance methods require manual operations by divers, posing extreme risks. Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are gradually replacing mine detection missions for navies worldwide, with related investments rapidly increasing. It is forecast that the market for mine detection Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) alone is expected to grow from $1.87 billion this year to $3.03 billion by 2030; the broader AUV market is projected to jump from $4.23 billion in 2025 to $14.51 billion by 2033. Some analysts believe the AUV segment could grow even faster, with an annual growth rate of 24.4%, making it one of the hottest sectors in defense technology. Currently, nearly 70% of naval modernization programs involve some form of autonomous underwater system. In April, the Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit awarded a contract to HII to build a system enabling Navy submarines to launch and recover AUVs directly through torpedo tubes without the need for divers.
Driven by defense modernization and commercial offshore demand, the global AUV market is expected to exceed $16 billion by 2034. Heightened geopolitical tensions are fueling increased investment in underwater mine countermeasure technologies worldwide. AI-driven sonar and autonomous navigation have significantly improved mine detection accuracy and mission efficiency. Navies are expanding the deployment of unmanned underwater systems to protect ports, shipping lanes, offshore energy assets, and critical undersea infrastructure. Growing defense budgets are expected to drive long-term demand for autonomous underwater robots, advanced sensors, and maritime surveillance technologies.
The IQ Aqua aims to extend ZenaDrone's IQ series of autonomous aerial, ground, and surface drones into underwater operations, primarily focusing on defense applications, including underwater mine detection and countermeasure support, covert underwater intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, as well as port and dock threat detection. The platform is also being developed for commercial uses, such as autonomous inspection of energy pipelines, bridges, and other maritime infrastructure. ZenaDrone is accelerating the development of the IQ Aqua V2, having ordered components and prepared for assembly at its manufacturing facility in the UAE, with a target completion within weeks. The V2 version features a new propulsion system designed to enhance speed and operational range.
Safe Pro Group Inc. announced a $1.3 million U.S. government subcontract from Forterra to integrate its proprietary AI-driven real-time threat detection technology into U.S. government autonomous unmanned ground vehicles for detecting explosive threats while on the move.
EVEX Corp. announced a follow-on contract worth $17.5 million to continue providing mission-focused, data-driven services and solutions in support of U.S. national security objectives.
Teal Drones Inc., a subsidiary of Red Cat Holdings, has advanced to the Gauntlet II phase of the U.S. Army's "Drone Superiority Program" and will participate in testing at Fort Carson, Colorado, in August 2026. The previous Phase 2 qualification event was held at Camp Grayling, Michigan, where 49 companies competed, and approximately 79 unique drones were tested.
Ondas Inc. announced the acquisition of DZYNE Technologies, LLC for $875.8 million, integrating capabilities across multi-domain ISR, counter-drone, autonomous effects, aerial security, precision strike, autonomous logistics, and AI-enabled mission orchestration. Eric Brock, Chairman and CEO of Ondas, stated that DZYNE has achieved EBITDA profitability with strong margin growth, accelerating Ondas's path to profitable long-term growth.
