Fincantieri Unveils Groundbreaking All-in-One Underwater Drone System
Today, at the Naval Support and Experimentation Center of La Spezia, Fincantieri unveiled its inaugural “DEEP” underwater drone system during a demonstration mission.
This occasion signifies a crucial achievement for Fincantieri in the realm of underwater technology, reaffirming the Group’s dominance in the maritime sector and establishing a clear and progressive trajectory of industrial advancement.
Esteemed guests included the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Defense, Hon. Matteo Perego di Cremnago, alongside Fincantieri’s CEO and Managing Director, Pierroberto Folgiero. The gathering also saw the Mayor of La Spezia, Pierluigi Peracchini; representing the Liguria Region, the Chief of Staff, Massimiliano Nannini; the Chief of the Italian Navy, Admiral Enrico Credendino; the President of the National Foundation for the Underwater Dimension, Senator Roberta Pinotti; and for Fincantieri, the Chairman, Biagio Mazzotta, along with the Director of Naval Vessels Division, Eugenio Santagata, and Executive Vice President Underwater, Gabriele Maria Cafaro.
The DEEP system serves as a state-of-the-art comprehensive solution for safeguarding, developing, and maintaining critical underwater infrastructures and port zones, while also conducting monitoring and environmental preservation initiatives. It was designed from inception with a dual focus, suited to address both civilian requirements and defense and security applications. This adaptability permits DEEP to function across various scenarios, delivering high-value solutions for environmental and infrastructure safeguarding, alongside operational support.
The platform comprises a network of underwater sensors for early detection (Early Warning System), a Command and Control Center for real-time operational coordination, a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) capable of undertaking missions at various levels of independence, collaboration, and synchronization, and an AI-driven system dedicated to data analysis and processing.
The debut of DEEP aligns with Fincantieri’s strategy to fortify its underwater sector, where the Group excels in providing integrated, high-value solutions, thanks to a distinctive industrial supply chain and interdisciplinary expertise consolidated within the Underwater Technology Hub, which orchestrates all endeavors related to civil, military, and dual-use systems through a unified management strategy. This cohesive approach enables Fincantieri to monitor markets and address the most intricate demands of private and institutional clients, reinforcing its pioneering and reference position in technology and industry within the global underwater arena.
Today, the underwater domain is a vital sector for security, energy, environmental monitoring, and underwater communications, with an estimated global reference market of around 50 billion euros per year and an approachable segment for Fincantieri of approximately 22 billion euros annually. Fincantieri aims to emerge as a front-runner in the development of this new strategic infrastructure, capitalizing on its capacity to merge sophisticated expertise and high-tech industrial assets.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, expressed: “The unveiling of DEEP is tangible evidence of our dedication to exploring the depths of innovation further. Today we have validated an integrated unmanned underwater drone system that represents a groundbreaking and practical solution to the challenge of safeguarding vital infrastructure using the finest technologies available. This accomplishment reflects the collective effort of an exceptional industrial supply chain that empowers us to foresee market requirements and position ourselves for future endeavors. We take pride in spearheading this transformation, which substantially contributes to the security, growth, competitiveness, and technological sovereignty of our national ecosystem while propelling us toward global leadership in the underwater economy.”
