Calidus Reveals Long-Range UUV Designed for Multi-Mission Naval Operations at UMEX 2026.

Emirati defense firm Calidus presented a new multifunctional autonomous underwater vehicle at UMEX 2026, positioning it in the long-range UUV category. The system reflects growing regional and global demand for persistent maritime surveillance and autonomous underwater operations across military and civilian sectors.

At the UMEX 2026 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, Calidus revealed a modular autonomous underwater vehicle designed for long-range missions in complex maritime environments, according to material displayed by the company at the show. The platform is intended to support maritime surveillance, intelligence collection, and autonomous underwater tasks, aligning with broader Gulf and international investments in unmanned naval systems.
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Calidus unveiled a long-range autonomous underwater vehicle at UMEX 2026, highlighting the growing demand for maritime surveillance and unmanned naval systems. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The system developed by Calidus is based on a modular architecture integrating autonomous navigation, path planning, and the ability to carry multiple payloads. The vehicle measures approximately eight meters in length with a diameter of around 533 millimeters, and has an air weight below 1.5 tonnes. Its aluminum alloy structure is intended to balance structural strength, endurance, and suitability for prolonged deployment in maritime environments.

The UUV is designed to operate at depths of up to 400 meters. Its economic speed is indicated at around three knots, while its maximum speed reaches ten knots, allowing mission profiles to alternate between long-duration endurance and faster transit phases. Endurance is a central element of the concept, with an operational range exceeding 1,200 kilometers, positioning the platform among long-endurance unmanned underwater systems.

The operational effects associated with such capabilities primarily relate to the extension of underwater presence without continuous reliance on manned platforms. A UUV with this level of autonomy can conduct persistent surveillance, discreet patrols, or long-duration data collection across wide maritime areas, while reducing the exposure of personnel and surface assets. The ability to operate for extended periods in immersion also increases the relevance of this system for missions in sensitive or contested environments, where discretion and persistence are key factors.

Navigation and positioning rely on an integrated solution combining an inertial navigation system, Doppler Velocity Log, Global Navigation Satellite System support, and Ultra-Short Baseline acoustic positioning. This configuration allows the vehicle to maintain accurate navigation during prolonged submerged operations while ensuring positional coherence during communication or data recovery phases. Communication capabilities include underwater acoustic links, complemented by radio and Wi-Fi communications when the vehicle operates at the surface or at shallow depth.

The vehicle can be equipped with various payloads, including forward-looking sonar, side-scan sonar, multibeam downward-looking sonar, and underwater cameras. This configuration supports a broad range of missions, such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, seabed mapping, hydrographic survey, target search, and inspection of underwater and offshore infrastructure. The modular approach facilitates adaptation to different operational requirements without major structural modifications.

Through its presentation at UMEX 2026, Calidus illustrates its development strategy in the field of autonomous naval systems. The dissemination of this type of multifunctional UUV reflects a broader trend toward the increased deployment of unmanned underwater platforms on military and maritime security markets. For the manufacturer, this orientation aligns with a long-term positioning strategy in a segment characterized by growing demand for autonomous underwater capabilities that offer persistence and adaptability across a range of operational contexts.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group

Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.