KORTHOS / ECOSYSTEM / PRODUCT

Guardian AUV

About

About Guardian AUV

Guardian is an 11.7-metre autonomous underwater vehicle offered with lithium-ion or hydrogen-fuel-cell propulsion. The fuel-cell configuration provides a stated range of 5,000 kilometres and submerged endurance approaching 39 days, while battery versions support missions lasting around 20 days.

Two modular payload bays provide up to 5,000 litres for sonar, towed arrays, deployable vehicles, seabed nodes and mission-specific equipment. Guardian can hover, station-keep, anchor and communicate through a retractable mast. Depth configurations extend from 300 to 3,000 metres.

Capabilities

Source-backed capabilities

  • Operating environments: Long-range underwater missions launched from ship or shore
  • Control modes: Autonomous
  • Marine survey and mapping

    Claimed - 2025-08-26 - Collect survey data during long-range underwater missions. - environment: Long-range underwater missions launched from ship or shore

    Source
  • ISR and tactical support

    Claimed - 2025-08-26 - Conduct over-the-horizon underwater surveillance from ship- or shore-launched missions. - environment: Long-range underwater missions launched from ship or shore

    Source
  • Long-range autonomous transit

    Claimed - 2025-08-26 - Conduct long-range underwater missions with a manufacturer-rated range of up to 5,000 km. - environment: Long-range underwater missions launched from ship or shore

    Source

Operations

  • Order / Commitment

    1 Guardian AUV sold - 2025-08-26 - confidential defense customer - defense underwater autonomy - Cellula Robotics sold a Guardian autonomous underwater vehicle to a confidential defense customer.

    Source

Observed use

Exact-product configurations are shown without inferring supply, purchase, customer status, standard fit, deployment or partnership.

  • Metron ANCC autonomy software

    2025-07-22 - Physical Demo - Controlled By - Physical - Cellula Robotics demonstrated its Guardian UUV operating with Metron ANCC autonomy software in open water.

    Source

Timeline

  • Cellula selected to deliver Guardian AUV for DIU CAMP project

    2026-03-24 - Contract Award - The Defense Innovation Unit selected a Metron-led team that includes Cellula Robotics USA for its Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform project. Cellula is responsible for a fuel-cell-powered Guardian AUV configured for long-range autonomous missions and payload deployment. Schilling Robotics, Integer Technologies and General Dynamics Applied Physical Sciences contribute integration, vehicle-health and payload capabilities to the delivery team.

    Source
  • Cellula sells Guardian AUV to confidential defense customer

    2025-08-26 - Commercial Order - Cellula announced a sale of its Guardian autonomous underwater vehicle to a confidential defense customer. Guardian was described as a commercial off-the-shelf long-range AUV capable of missions up to 5,000 kilometers with payload release, hovering, and station-keeping capability. The company positioned the platform for over-the-horizon survey, surveillance, and payload-delivery missions deployable from ship or shore.

    Source
  • Cellula and Metron demonstrate autonomous Guardian UUV

    2025-07-22 - Capability - Metron ANCC software controlled the Cellula Guardian during open-water trials. The vehicle completed surface and submerged missions without human intervention. The latest software integration was completed, tested and demonstrated within three weeks.

    Source

Context

Comparable Systems