British firms test AUKUS underwater tech off San Diego

British companies SEA and Decision Analysis Services demonstrated underwater communications and autonomy software during the AUKUS Maritime Big Play exercise off San Diego. SEA’s Acoustic Deployment Environment Planning Tool uses environmental data and acoustic modelling to predict and optimise underwater communications performance. Decision Analysis Services tested its Autonomous Fleet Task Assignment Framework, enabling underwater vehicles to distribute tasks and adapt collaboratively when command links are degraded or unavailable. Both companies received UK Defence Innovation support through the AUKUS Maritime Innovation Challenge, and the exercise provided operational experimentation with US and Australian participants rather than a production procurement award.