Seatrec, Precise Systems, Airtronics to Deliver Persistent Subsea Autonomous Profiler Capability for U.S. Navy
Seatrec, Precise Systems, Airtronics to Deliver Persistent Subsea Autonomous Profiler Capability for U.S. Navy
MOU establishes a manufacturing, integration, and delivery framework combining Seatrec's ocean energy-harvesting technology with Precise Systems' and Airtronics' systems engineering expertise to execute highly scalable and robust PSAP mission capability
VISTA, Calif. and LEXINGTON PARK, Md.— April 16, 2026 — Seatrec, a leader in thermal-powered, long-endurance subsea drones, Precise Systems, a premier defense solutions provider, and its affiliate Airtronics, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deliver Persistent Subsea Autonomous Profiler (PSAP) units in support of the U.S. Navy and other customers.
The MOU establishes a framework for partnership and collaboration among the three parties to execute and deliver PSAP units in accordance with approved program deliverables and budget. Central to the agreement is the establishment of a highly scalable manufacturing, integration, and delivery facility in Mississippi. The primary objective is to combine Seatrec's technology with the systems engineering and manufacturing expertise of Precise Systems and Airtronics to execute and deliver a robust, persistent PSAP mission capability.
"This agreement brings together exactly the right capabilities at the right time. Seatrec's energy-harvesting technology fundamentally changes what is possible for persistent undersea operations, and the manufacturing and systems integration depth that Precise Systems and Airtronics bring to this partnership gives us a clear path to delivering PSAP capability at the scale and reliability the Navy requires," stated Yi Chao, Ph.D., CEO and founder of Seatrec.
Seatrec's energy-harvesting core technology, originally developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and commercialized out of the California Institute of Technology in 2016, enables subsea drones to generate electricity from naturally occurring ocean temperature gradients. This approach eliminates the endurance limitations that have historically constrained battery-powered underwater autonomous vehicles, supporting extended missions and enabling the integration of power-intensive sensors, such as hydrophones, that were previously impossible for long-duration deployments.
Precise Systems Chief Executive Officer and President, Scott Pfister, added, "Precise Systems and Airtronics are proud to anchor the manufacturing and systems integration mission for this program. Establishing a dedicated facility in Mississippi reflects our long-term commitment to building scalable, domestic defense production capacity, and our confidence that the PSAP capability we deliver together will meet the Navy's most demanding operational requirements."
The PSAP supports the U.S. Navy's need for persistent, autonomous undersea profiling platforms capable of operating across a range of maritime environments. By pairing Seatrec's renewable energy systems with the proven manufacturing and integration capabilities of Precise Systems and Airtronics, the partnership is positioned to deliver a highly scalable solution that advances undersea warfare readiness and ocean domain awareness.
This partnership is positioned to deliver a scalable solution that advances undersea warfare readiness and ocean domain awareness.
ABOUT SEATREC
Seatrec designs and manufactures subsea drones that generate electricity from ocean temperature gradients. Our products empower defense and oceanographic researchers to extend mission durations, optimize data collection, and reduce operational costs. By enabling the integration of advanced sensors previously limited in endurance and functionality, such as hydrophones, we open new possibilities for ocean science.
Seatrec’s energy-harvesting core technology was developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and spun out of the California Institute of Technology in 2016. Seatrec is headquartered in Vista, California. Visit us at seatrec.com.
ABOUT PRECISE SYSTEMS
Precise Systems delivers integrated, mission-ready solutions that advance warfighter readiness and strengthen our nation's most critical defense programs. Through combined capabilities spanning Advanced Engineering, Digital Transformation, Electromagnetic Warfare, Interactive Training & Simulation, Physical Sciences Research, Platform Lifecycle Support, and Foreign Military Sales, Precise Systems applies innovative technologies, engineering rigor, and customer-focused execution to solve complex challenges and accelerate mission success. Unified by decades of trusted performance and expanded through strategic growth, Precise Systems is guided by a commitment to partnership, precision, and performance. For more information, visit GoPrecise.com.
ABOUT AIRTRONICS
Established in 1975, Airtronics Inc. is a DOD Government Contractor, currently maintaining hundreds of prime contracts for various agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense, including the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Defense Logistics Agency and Navy. Learn more at airtronicsinc.com.
Media Contacts
Marta Bulaich
Seatrec, Inc.
marta.bulaich@seatrec.com
+1 (415) 816-1665
Karen Wathen
Precise Systems
kwathen@goprecise.com
+1 (240) 416-6473
Seatrec’s infiniTE™ Profiling Float Captures First-of-Its-Kind Fine-Scale Ocean Vertical Structure
Seatrec’s infiniTE™ Profiling Float Captures First-of-Its-Kind Fine-Scale Ocean Vertical Structure, Powered by Temperature Gradients
A serendipitous meeting between ocean engineers and scientists sparked a new float mission to change how the ocean is measured
VISTA, Calif.— Feb. 23, 2026 — Seatrec, a leader in thermal-powered, long-endurance subsea drones, today announced the successful launch of a collaborative scientific mission to develop new autonomous profiling float capabilities that are powered by the ocean’s temperature differences and collect critical data on ocean health and carbon cycling.
This mission originated from a booth conversation at the American Geophysical Union (AGU)-sponsored Ocean Sciences Meeting 2024 (OSM24), held in New Orleans in February 2024. Seatrec CEO and Founder, Yi Chao, Ph.D., met with Mark Altabet, Ph.D, Professor and Chair of the School for Marine Science & Technology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and Eric A. D’Asaro, Ph.D., Senior Principal Oceanographer of the Applied Physics Laboratory and School of Oceanography at the University of Washington. At the time, Seatrec had recently launched its commercial infiniTE™ float. During discussions, Altabet and D’Asaro explored how the infiniTE float could fundamentally alter sampling strategies for studying turbulence, internal waves, and ocean mixing. That discussion marked the beginning of a co-development effort.
“Data below the ocean surface is significantly lacking because traditional profiling floats are all powered by primary batteries that limit float life and data collection capability,” explained Chao. “The infiniTE float harvests energy from temperature gradients in the ocean, and can therefore collect more frequent measurements and carry new sensors.”
The collaboration resulted in the successful development and deployment of an infiniTE float with two sensors to measure oxygen and total dissolved gas pressure (TDGP), key indicators of ecosystem health, environmental stress, and carbon cycling. The accurate measurement of TDGP requires the float to park at multiple depths and remain at each depth long enough for the sensor to collect reliable measurements.
“This type of mission has never been done before with the existing float products,” said D’Asaro. “The infiniTE float changes the way we think about power in a profiling float. In a battery-powered float, the total energy is fixed, so you try to minimize power usage by minimizing the number of profiles. Since the infiniTE float recharges its battery with the energy harvested from the ocean, there is no power penalty for more profiles.”
“Looking into the future,” said Altabet, “the infiniTE float can be used to profile more rapidly to resolve the diurnal variation of oxygen and its impact on productivity. This could only be done with the infiniTE float in a sustained way.”
This mission builds on Seatrec’s broader efforts to advance long-duration autonomous ocean systems, including a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Naval Postgraduate School focused on enabling persistent, real-time oceanographic and acoustic measurements in open-ocean environments.
Related to this work, Chao will present at this week’s AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, on harvesting energy from ocean temperature gradients to power underwater robots and sensors for persistent monitoring.
About Seatrec
Seatrec designs and manufactures subsea drones that generate electricity from ocean temperature gradients. Our products empower defense and oceanographic researchers to extend mission durations, optimize data collection, and reduce operational costs. By enabling the integration of advanced sensors previously limited in endurance and functionality, such as hydrophones, we open new possibilities for ocean science.
Seatrec’s energy-harvesting core technology was developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and spun out of the California Institute of Technology in 2016. Seatrec is headquartered in Vista, California. Visit us at seatrec.com.
About the School for Marine Science & Technology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
The School for Marine Science & Technology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (SMAST) is a nationally and internationally recognized institution for education and research in marine science and ocean technology. SMAST is a collaborative community of dedicated students and expert faculty working together to address critical challenges in marine science while fostering a supportive and collegial environment. SMAST students and faculty help address urgent issues facing the world’s oceans, including climate change and ocean impacts, food security via sustainable fisheries, sustainable energy development and associated impacts, and coastal ecosystem resilience.
About the Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington
The University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory (APL-UW) was founded by the U.S. Navy in 1943 to conduct acoustic and oceanographic studies on how deep ocean variability affects Navy systems. Today, APL-UW scientists and engineers lead research and applied technologies in acoustic and remote sensing, ocean physics and engineering, medical and industrial ultrasound, polar science and logistics, environmental and information systems, and electronic and photonic systems.
Media Contact
Marta Bulaich
Seatrec, Inc.
marta.bulaich@seatrec.com
+1 (415) 816-1665