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DualTech Challenge 2025

The DualTech Challenge

The Challenge is returning for its first in-person iteration at UDT. This is created in collaboration with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI).  

They have identified a challenge that calls for individuals and teams to showcase their solutions beyond the realms of undersea defence technology, to address real-world issues faced by today's end-users.

Are you ready to revolutionise the field of undersea defence?

Submit your proposals for a unique opportunity to present your innovative technology to a distinguished audience of thought leaders and undersea experts.

The Challenge will be hosted by Nils Haga, Senior Business Advisor, Kjeller Innovasjon AS

Submissions for the DualTech Challenge have now closed. Finalists information can be found below and the winner will be announced live from the DualTech theatre in the afternoon of March 25th 2025.

DTChallenge

Thor Storm Husoy, Principal Engineer, Positioning and Communication

Immediate defense through existing assets: Utilize readily available, field-proven USBL systems, AUVs, and resident monitoring systems to create rapid, ad-hoc underwater surveillance networks. This approach leverages existing commercial infrastructure for immediate defense needs.

USBL as a communication and positioning Backbone: Establish USBL systems, already prevalent in commercial maritime operations, as the core communication and positioning network for underwater drones and sensors. This allows for scalable and rapid deployment across vast areas.

Collaborative data sharing for enhanced threat detection: Leverage existing libraries of operational data (e.g., acoustic signatures) from commercial oil & gas infrastructure to enhance threat detection capabilities. Facilitate close collaboration between industry, operators, and defense to rapidly identify and respond to potential threats.

Alan Jones, Program Manager for Freedom AUV

Adaptive autonomy: AUVs must intelligently manage limited communication, using software to adjust to available bandwidth and continue missions autonomously.

Data optimisation: Advanced compression and AI-driven reconstruction are essential to transmit surveillance data effectively over long distances.

Multi-modal strategy: Combining existing communication methods with intelligent software and data processing is crucial for robust undersea defense capabilities.

Emilie Asberg, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

Cross-Domain Communication: Havguard enables seamless communication between underwater and aerial drones, facilitating collaborative missions and real-time data sharing.

AI-Driven Pipeline Protection: Their technology provides rapid, AI-powered detection of sabotage on underwater pipelines, with a pilot project demonstrating wireless, multi-modal communication.

Rapidly Deployable Seabed-to-Space Network: Havguard aims to create a connected network integrating underwater swarms, aerial drones, and satellites, using AI data routing and advanced sensors.

Challenge area

Underwater communication and surveillance – can we do better?

Underwater communication is a critical technology for many military applications where cables cannot be used. This is also an area of significant interest to the offshore oil & gas and service industry. The desire to communicate reliably over significant distances undersea, preferably with high bandwidth and for military applications also with low signature, poses a substantial technological challenge. Still, such technology will be required for the full integration of unmanned and partially autonomous undersea vehicles and systems with manned platforms. For many applications, AUVs cannot operate fully autonomously.

Similarly, underwater acoustic sensing technology represents a field with potential for dual use. Technologies and systems already in use for civilian applications may be adapted and used for military applications.

Official collaborators

Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI)

The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) is the research institute of the Norwegian defence sector and the primary implement by which the defence sector benefits from fast-paced scientific and technological development. Through research, development and continuous innovation FFI contributes to an effective, interoperable, and relevant defence that is well-prepared for the future.

Innovation Norway

Innovation Norway is a state-owned company and a national development bank that supports entrepreneurship, commercialization, growth and internationalization. It helps Norwegian companies grow sustainably and increase exports by providing access to competence, capital, and networks. Formed in 2004, it has offices in 30 countries.

The Reward

Each finalist will receive: 

  • Speaking opportunity at the DualTech Theatre and opportunity to demonstrate physical products. 

  • Full Speaker registration (including access to the exhibition, main conference and catering) 

  • Prolonged exposure on the event website 

  • Profile in DualTech Challenge literature/website and DualTech agenda 

  • Associated promotion on social media channels 

The UDT community is invited to watch the Challenge live from the DualTech Theatre hosted by FFI and Innovation Norway.

The Grand Prize

The DualTech Challenge winner will receive commendation and a complimentary 9sqm for your stand at UDT 2026. 

presentation at udt dualtech

Entry and Judging Criteria

Submitted technologies can either be existing products not currently utilised in the Defence market or new innovative disruptive technologies addressing the challenge outlined. 

To enter, submit a short description of your solution (up to 500 words), discussing how to address this challenge area. The title can be of the product or how this challenge is addressed. 

If selected as a finalist, you will be invited to present your solution on stage in the DualTech Theatre. 

All entrants must be eligible to attend UDT in person on the 25th of March 2025. Due to security restrictions at the exhibition, entrants must be 18 years or older and successfully pass security checks during event registration. 

Submissions will be judged by the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) and Innovation Norway. All submissions will be provided to the judging panel anonymously by the UDT conference production team to prevent bias. 

All participants must comply with the Official Rules and abide by decisions made by the Host and Judges.

Key dates and timelines 2025

20th January Submissions Open                                    
24th February Submissions close (23:59 GMT)
4th March Finalists selected and contacted
25th March Catch the live presentations & announcement of the winner at UDT 2025, Nova Spektrum, Oslo







 

Interested in applying?

Submissions for the DualTech Challenge have now closed. Finalists will be selected and contacted shortly. 

Join us on the 25th March as we crown our 2025 DualTech Challenge winner!

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