Chelsea Technologies, Forcys, and Wavefront Systems have formally merged under the Forcys brand. This integration strengthens the new company’s ability to meet the evolving demands of the defence sector and other critical markets, while reinforcing its position as a technical leader in the provision of underwater solutions. The move reflects a continued commitment to innovation and collaboration.

The newly combined organisation will bring together decades of expert engineering excellence, creating a stronger, more integrated offering for customers in defence and security, while continuing to serve blue technology sectors.

Paul Badger, CEO of Forcys, stated: “Combining the three organisations provides us with the critical mass required to deliver against a more ambitious vision. With underwater threats to our critical national infrastructure and peer adversaries that increasingly rely on autonomous platforms, we need to be ready to meet the mission head-on. We are doing exactly that.”

Building on a record-breaking period of defence deliveries, the combined Forcys team is well positioned to help the industry navigate the shift from traditional systems toward a more autonomous future. The new entity will be ideally placed to deliver integrated underwater payloads to support a range of missions from ISR to underwater intruder detection and deterrence.

Ioseba Tena, CCO of Forcys, stated: “Building on the proven defence pedigree of Chelsea Technologies and Wavefront Systems, we are integrating world-class expertise to help our customers outperform the competition by delivering increased value through our integrated underwater sensing solutions. We are confident that this is the right team at the right time to lead the next chapter of industry innovation.”

While the Forcys name will represent the new organisation, Chelsea Technologies will continue as a product brand within the new structure, retaining its long-standing reputation and presence within the blue technology sector providing specialist sensing and water quality monitoring.

This is not an acquisition. It is a coming together of three companies within the same group. The three organisations seek to amplify their impact, improve efficiencies, and better serve customers across all sectors.

Chelsea Technologies, Forcys, and Wavefront Systems have formally merged under the Forcys brand. This integration strengthens the new company’s ability to meet the evolving demands of the defense sector and other critical markets, while reinforcing its position as a technical leader in the provision of underwater solutions. The move reflects a continued commitment to innovation and collaboration.

The newly combined organization will bring together decades of expert engineering excellence, creating a stronger, more integrated offering for customers in defense and security, while continuing to serve blue technology sectors.

Paul Badger, CEO of Forcys, stated: “Combining the three organisations provides us with the critical mass required to deliver against a more ambitious vision. With underwater threats to our critical national infrastructure and peer adversaries that increasingly rely on autonomous platforms, we need to be ready to meet the mission head-on. We are doing exactly that.”

Building on a record-breaking period of defense deliveries, the combined Forcys team is well positioned to help the industry navigate the shift from traditional systems toward a more autonomous future. The new entity will be ideally placed to deliver integrated underwater payloads to support a range of missions from ISR to underwater intruder detection and deterrence.

Ioseba Tena, CCO of Forcys, stated: “Building on the proven defense pedigree of Chelsea Technologies and Wavefront Systems, we are integrating world-class expertise to help our customers outperform the competition by delivering increased value through our integrated underwater sensing solutions. We are confident that this is the right team at the right time to lead the next chapter of industry innovation.”

While the Forcys name will represent the new organisation, Chelsea Technologies will continue as a product brand within the new structure, retaining its long-standing reputation and presence within the blue technology sector providing specialist sensing and water quality monitoring.

This is not an acquisition. It is a coming together of three companies within the same group. The three organisations seek to amplify their impact, improve efficiencies, and better serve customers across all sectors.

To meet the growing complexity of modern mine countermeasure missions, Forcys and Eelume have joined forces to deliver a new class of agile autonomous capability. Pairing Eelume’s manoeuvrable autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) platform with Forcys’ integrated sonar and optical systems from Wavefront Systems and Voyis, will enables navies to locate, assess and confirm underwater threats with greater certainty across complex seabed terrain.

Together, these technologies mark a major advance in autonomous and networked mine countermeasure operations, allowing smaller and smarter systems to deliver the same certainty and coverage once limited to large, manned vessels.

Clearing and securing coastal waters, harbours and confined seabed areas remains one of the most difficult tasks faced by navies today. Conventional AUVs are optimised either for endurance or manoeuvrability, rarely both. In shallow or topographically complex terrain, these limitations create data blind spots, forcing navies to rely on slower and less certain minesweeping techniques.

Thomas Nygaard, CEO at Eelume, said, “Modern mines hide in the most challenging seabed environments — among rocks, slopes and narrow channels that traditional AUVs can’t fully access. Eelume S combines detection, classification and identification in one system, eliminating the need for ROV operations and reducing time-consuming mine sweeping through its manoeuvrability, advanced sensor suite and in-mission processing capabilities. This keeps personnel and vessels out of the minefield and makes MCM safer, faster and more efficient.”

The challenge lay in developing a compact, versatile platform that could deliver both wide-area detection and detailed inspection in any seabed environment, from open waters to confined littoral zones, without compromising range or endurance.

Forcys acts as the integrator of a powerful ecosystem of subsea technologies, bringing together proven innovations from across its group to deliver fully optimised solutions for the end user.

Through the integration of Wavefront Systems’ multi-aperture sonar Solstice and Voyis’ optical imaging systems, Forcys will enable Eelume S to achieve both the wide-area efficiency and close-range fidelity essential to modern MCM missions.

• Solstice delivers image quality close to synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) but at roughly one-tenth of the data burden and with substantially lower power demand. Its tolerance to platform motion makes it ideal for shallow-water and high-relief environments, requiring frequent manoeuvres, where SAS systems are less effective.
  
• Voyis Observer Imaging System provides high-resolution stills with true-colour representation, enabling rapid visual identification of potential threats once detected.

By acting as a single integration partner, Forcys ensures the optimal synergy between vehicle, sonar and camera systems, streamlining deployment and simplifying logistics for naval customers.

The Solution

The Eelume S platform introduces a flexible, bio-inspired propulsion system featuring dual counter-rotating propellers mounted on an articulated tail. This design grants independent control of pitch, yaw, and roll, allowing the vehicle to move fluidly around obstacles, maintain stability close to the seabed, and capture detailed sensor data in environments inaccessible to conventional AUVs.

Equipped with Forcys’ integrated sensor suite, Eelume S can perform wide-area sonar sweeps to detect and classify objects before transitioning seamlessly to close-range optical inspection for identification. The system’s compact size makes it easy to deploy from uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for extended, fully remote multi-vehicle operations.

In trials across Norway’s complex coastal terrain, the platform demonstrated consistent area coverage and the ability to deliver actionable, high-resolution data at a fraction of the bandwidth normally required for SAS missions.

Thomas Nygaard, “We outperform traditional AUVs, not just on complex bathymetry, but also on flat seabeds because we can operate closer to the seabed and capture higher-quality images. With the Solstice MAS sonar integrated we get the best of both worlds, combining agile movement with the data quality needed to act quickly on targets.”

The Result

The integration of Eelume S with Forcys’ advanced sonar and imaging systems represents a major evolution in mine countermeasure capability.

The combined system enables Detection, Classification and Identification (DCI) from a single AUV, reducing mission time and complexity while increasing operational certainty.

The solution delivers:

• Greater operational certainty: Precise detection and identification even in confined, high-relief seabeds.
• Enhanced safety and efficiency: Reduced reliance on crewed minesweeping, minimising risk to personnel.
• Scalable autonomy: Compatibility with USVs and networked MCM concepts for coordinated multi-vehicle operations.
• Reduced data burden: Actionable information at lower bandwidth and power consumption, enabling faster mission processing.

For countries like the UK, where complex littoral zones, busy ports and vital offshore infrastructure demand reliable protection, this capability provides an agile and interoperable tool that enhances both national and NATO defence readiness.

Justin Hains, Forcys Business Development Manager, commented; “This collaboration with Eelume demonstrates how Forcys is enabling navies forces like the Royal Navy to operate more effectively in challenging environments previousy considered unhuntable. The integration of Wavefront Systems MAS and Voyis imaging on the Eelume AUV delivers detection, classification and identification from a single platform, a capability proven in Norway’s fjords where traditional AUVs fail due to complex bathymetry. For UK missions at home and deployed, this means faster, safer and more reliable coverage across critical littoral zones.”

By bridging innovation and integration, Forcys and Eelume are transforming how the world’s navies see, understand, and secure the underwater domain.

Forcys and its technology partners demonstrated world-class undersea defense capabilities at this year’s BlueTIDE Challenge and Technology Showcase, held at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport Division and Sail Newport marina. The team secured two major awards, underscoring Forcys’ leadership in protecting critical undersea infrastructure.

In the technical challenge, Sentinel Intruder Detection Sonar won the top prize in the Sensor category, taking home USD 50,000 and industry recognition for its performance in live conditions. The system competed successfully against 15 rival technologies and showcased the potential of D-SWAAT, a new active tracking mode designed to extend Sentinel’s range and effectiveness.

At the concurrent technology exhibition, Forcys partnered with Voyis, EIVA and VideoRay to deliver a live Visual Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping demonstration. The showcase impressed judges and attendees, earning the prize for Best In-Water Demonstration.

The event brought together 20 companies to a live competition and more than 40 exhibitors from across the undersea domain, attracting over 600 registered visitors. The outcome highlights how Forcys’ integrated technologies, ranging from advanced sonar to vision-based mapping, are enabling navies and infrastructure operators to strengthen security and resilience beneath the surface.

“BlueTIDE is about pushing the boundaries of undersea innovation in real-world scenarios. Winning in both the competitive challenge and the demonstration showcase reflects not just the capability of Sentinel and VSLAM, but also the power of collaboration across our partner ecosystem. It was a true team effort and a proud moment for everyone involved.”

Chris Haugen, Business Development, Forcys Inc. (CAPT, USN Ret.)

Forcys is pleased to announce the promotion of Dan Zatezalo to the role of Vice President, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge naval and subsea solutions to the US military and its allies.

Backed by over fifty years of experience, Forcys offers the global maritime naval sector remote, autonomous, and networked control capabilities delivering integrated situational awareness to customers in the underwater domain.

Covering a range of maritime operations including asset protection, littoral strike, mine warfare, submarine rescue, and submarine and anti-submarine warfare, Forcys seeks to transform the underwater domain by enabling increasingly distributed and automated operations. This is made possible by integrating and bringing to market world-changing solutions from leading technology partners Chelsea Technologies, EIVA, Sonardyne, Voyis, and Wavefront Systems.

With extensive experience in the sector, Dan has served as General Manager for North America and Head of Global Sales becoming instrumental in supporting US operations and global growth. Dan’s leadership will continue to support Forcys’ mission to equip navies with customer-shaped solutions that enhance battlespace advantage both above and below the surface. Attendees at Sea Air Space 2025 are invited to visit the Forcys stand to meet Dan and learn more about Forcys latest innovations in maritime navel forces.

At Forcys, we understand that modern maritime security demands more than just sophisticated sensors or autonomous vehicles – it requires seamless integration of cutting-edge technology. This is where the combined expertise of our technology partners comes into play. The capabilities of EIVA’s ViperFish, alongside advanced solutions from Sonardyne, and Wavefront Systems are reshaping how subsea threats are monitored and managed, ensuring that the maritime defense community has the tools needed for effective real-time operations.

ViperFish is an all-in-one remotely operated towed vehicle (ROTV) designed for high-resolution data collection in autonomous operations. At Forcys we see the integration of this product as a significant step forward in autonomous operations. Designed for seabed imaging and geophysical surveys, ViperFish performs these tasks with remarkable precision, particularly and can even be paired with unmanned surface vessels (USVs). This opens up new possibilities for autonomous operations in complex underwater environments, enhancing mission safety, efficiency and data accuracy.

By combining this ROTV with positioning systems, sonar technology and EIVA’s NaviSuite survey software, we deliver a powerful, integrated solution that supports critical defense missions. ViperFish’s ability to automatically maintain a set height above the seabed makes it an invaluable tool for mine countermeasures, UXO (unexploded ordnance) surveys, and rapid environmental assessments.

“Forcys leverages Covelya Group partnerships to deliver solutions that provide capabilities beyond the sum of their individual components,” says Antonio Belfiore, Senior Sales Manager at Forcys. “Additionally, the combined research and development expertise across our group of companies enables Forcys to rapidly adapt to emerging threats and evolving mission requirements. This know-how was instrumental in the development of ViperFish. Designed to be the tool of choice for mine-hunting across the littoral and in riverine environments, Viperfish is also easy to use and provides your team actionable data in real-time.”

In the context of mine warfare, these integrated solutions are revolutionizing the way threat detection is carried out. By relying on autonomous vehicles that can navigate complex underwater environments with precision, defense teams can carry out missions more efficiently and frequently than ever before. The combination of ViperFish’s flexibility and the advanced sensor technologies it brings together enables vast subsea areas to be covered with unprecedented detail.

These advancements not only improve operational efficiency but also provide the necessary foundation for many future maritime and defense security operations.

At Forcys we’re proud to be part of this journey, ensuring that autonomous technology plays a central role in securing your assets.

Read more about our technology partner EIVA. 

Discover ViperFish ROTV deployed by ProZero 8m Naval Intelligence USV:

Held at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center from April 19^th to 22^nd, Sea-Air-Space is the premier maritime exposition in the U.S., bringing together defense industry leaders and top military decision-makers from around the world to share the latest advancements in the maritime domain.

Forcys, a global leader in underwater defense technology, and DRASS, a renowned name in the manufacturing of diving systems and underwater vehicles, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at revolutionizing underwater operations.

Forcys integrates and brings to the defense market world-changing solutions from leading technology partners Chelsea Technologies, EIVA, Sonardyne, Voyis, and Wavefront Systems. These companies are renowned for their innovative offerings in underwater and maritime operations, making them ideal partners for DRASS.

Luca Biasci, SDV & LUUV Program Manager at DRASS, emphasizes the significance of this collaboration: “DRASS has consistently been at the forefront of technological innovation in the underwater domain. With this partnership, Forcys’ robust portfolio of advanced payload technologies will be integrated with our Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (LUUVs), RONDA, expanding our suite of solutions to meet the evolving demands of the underwater sector.”

Under this agreement, Forcys’ advanced underwater vehicle systems and sensor payloads will complement DRASS’ capability to meet the evolving needs of navies.

Antonio J. Belfiore, who leads sales in the Europe, Middle East, India, and Africa (EMEIA) region for Forcys, recently visited DRASS headquarters in Livorno, where the final details of the agreement were ironed out.

“We are thrilled to partner with DRASS, a company that shares our commitment to innovation and excellence,” said Antonio J. Belfiore. “This partnership allows us to combine our expertise and provides customers with state-of-the-art systems that enhance operational capabilities and ensure safety and efficiency in underwater missions.”

Both companies are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the underwater domain, leveraging their combined expertise to deliver state-of-the-art solutions to defense markets worldwide.

Forcys is excited to announce they have been selected by Ocean Aero as a payload provider for their world-leading autonomous underwater and surface vehicle (AUSV), the Triton.

The Triton is the world’s only environmentally powered AUSV. Completely solar and wind powered, it can travel at speeds of up to 5 knots and can submerge for up to 5 days at 2 knots.

A true multi-domain workhorse, the Triton can be used as a force multiplier for defense operations, offering easy logistics, launch, and recovery while evading detection using autonomous avoidance and deep diving capabilities.

Forcys will be supplying Ocean Aero with SPRINT-Nav Mini, the world’s smallest hybrid acoustic-inertial navigation technology from its technology partner Sonardyne and Solstice, the leading multi-aperture sonar (MAS) for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) systems, from its technology partner Wavefront Systems.

Forcys’ General Manager and Head of Global Sales, Dan Zatezalo welcomes their selection: “We are thrilled that Ocean Aero has chosen us as their payload provider for defense applications. Their revolutionary technology is a great complement to our offer, and we think their customers are going to love the results. We look forward to working with them in driving the autonomous ocean defense technology sector forward.”

Bob Marthouse, COO from Ocean Aero said; “A key differentiation in our selection process is the performance to power ratio. We need to maximize the value from our payloads while managing the power consumption to sustain our mission goals. This is where the technology from Forcys makes a significant difference. On our last mission, everyone was highly impressed with the Solstice MAS.”  With Forcys’ marine defense market expertise, alongside its access to many technology partners, and Ocean Aero’s many applications for the Triton, the partnership looks set to be a revolutionary and fruitful one.