The small unmanned surface vehicle market is expected to grow from US$ 361.29 million in 2021 to US$ 740.67 million by 2028; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.80% from 2021 to 2028.

Major factors such as the surge in the demand for ocean data mapping with water quality monitoring and rise in demand for coastal water patrol and anti-submarine warfare operations drive the growth of the small-unmanned surface vehicles market. In addition, continuous investments in unmanned sea exploration technologies would generate huge opportunities for the market vendors during the forecast period.

The sudden COVID-19 outbreak pandemic hit almost all industries across the world in FY 2020 due to lockdown measures imposed by various countries. The restrictions disrupted the supply chain of different industries and generated a demand and supply gap in industries. Due to the pandemic, the reduction in the investments in automation technologies impacted negatively in the small unmanned surface vehicle market in North America in 2020. However, the market is expected to regain its growth by the second quarter of 2022, according to a research study.

In terms of hydrography operations, the COVID-19 pandemic has not really heavily impacted the adoption of automation technologies. The marine industry operations were suspended during the first two quarters of 2020, which impacted the demand for unmanned surface vehicles across the North America region. Also, the demand for unmanned systems has increased over the past few years, which has been become a trend across the marine industry operations. For instance, the defense sector has become one of the most growing markets for unmanned systems across North America, specifically in the US owing to the rising investments in the adoption of autonomous unmanned vehicles across defense industry. This factor has driven the small unmanned surface vehicle market growth in 2020.

The small unmanned surface vehicle market is segmented on the basis of size, payload, application, and geography. Based on size, the market is segmented into 1-2 M, >2-4 M, and >4-6 M. Based on payload, the small unmanned surface vehicle market is segmented into sonar, camera, GPS, SATCOM, and others. Geographically, the global small unmanned surface vehicle market is broadly segmented into North America (the US, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Russia, and the Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the Rest of APAC), the Middle East and Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Rest of MEA), and South America (Argentina, Brazil, Rest of SAM). In 2021, North America segment accounted for the significant share in the global market.

A few key players operating in the global small unmanned surface vehicle market and profiled in the market study are HYDRONALIX, Aanderaa Data Instruments AS, AutoNaut Ltd, Eco Marine Power, Liquid Robotics Inc., OceanAlpha Group Ltd, Seabed BV, SeaRobotics Corporation, Sirehna, and QinetiQ Group plc.

The overall global small unmanned surface vehicle market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources. To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market. The process also serves the purpose of obtaining an overview and forecast for the small unmanned surface vehicle market with respect to all the segments. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants and commentators to validate the data, as well as to gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants of this process include industry experts such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, along with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders, specializing in the small unmanned surface vehicle market.