Space Florida Joins Hands with Lockheed Martin for Developing Underwater Vehicles

Space Florida has entered into an agreement with Lockheed Martin for conducting advance testing and production of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), which has been named Marlin. Lockheed Martin will be responsible for equipping Marlin with advanced sensors and imaging equipment, which will be used during underwater inspections.

These AUVs are ideal for use in gas and oil industries for inspecting pipes and other infrastructure present underwater. Space Florida will make use of Lockheed Martin’s technological offering for bringing in further improvements for marketing the AUVs.

The construction work of the AUV Marlin will be carried out at the Palm Beach facility of Lockheed Martin and the testing will be conducted at Florida and Gulf coasts. The Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll of Florida pointed out that the AUVs can be used in the aerospace industry as well. The president of Space Florida was of the opinion that these AUVs will be of benefit to the civil industry for performing inspection of infrastructure. The financial aid for the purchase of AUVs from Lockheed Martin was provided to Space Florida through its equity shares and third-party financing.