Redefining Maritime Security

September 25, 2025

A New Article by CTO Dr. Fritz Stahr Explores how Uncrewed Surface Vehicles and Artificial Intelligence are Reshaping the Future of Maritime Security and Ocean Monitoring

We’re proud to share that our CTO, Dr. Fritz Stahr, authored an article titled “Redefining Maritime Security with Uncrewed Surface Vehicles and Artificial Intelligence” in the Fall 2025 issue of the Journal of Ocean Technology. The article presents a compelling vision for how uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), paired with artificial intelligence and advanced sensors, are transforming the way maritime security challenges are addressed.

Fritz explores how today’s USVs, from small agile vessels to long-endurance platforms, are enabling persistent, cost-effective, and scalable ocean surveillance. Unlike traditional patrol ships or aircraft, USVs can operate autonomously or be remotely piloted, allowing for continuous monitoring of large and often remote marine areas. This is especially important as threats such as illegal fishing, smuggling, piracy, environmental damage, and risks to offshore infrastructure become more complex and widespread.

In the article, he outlines how USVs can carry high-resolution optical and thermal cameras, radar, and a wide range of environmental sensors to gather real-time data. These platforms use onboard AI to identify patterns and detect anomalies, triggering alerts or decisions that would otherwise require constant human oversight. By combining autonomy with persistent sensing, USVs can significantly expand maritime domain awareness while reducing risk to personnel and lowering operational costs.

What stands out in this piece is the broader point that this is not just a technical upgrade to existing systems — it is a shift in how maritime operations can be conceived and executed. USVs with integrated AI offer new levels of agility, endurance, and safety that were previously out of reach for many government, commercial, and conservation applications.

For Open Ocean Robotics, this work reflects our ongoing commitment to redefining what’s possible in maritime technology. Our solar-powered DataXplorer™ USVs are already helping customers tackle challenges in maritime security, environmental monitoring, and coastal protection.

We invite you to read Fritz’s full article in the Journal of Ocean Technology's Maritime Security issue to learn more about how USVs and AI are shaping the future of safe and sustainable ocean operations.

Read the full article here: Redefining Maritime Security with USVs and AI – Journal of Ocean Technology