SUN Fleet

Surface UNcrewed Fleet

What is SUN Fleet?

The Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USV) Global Network is an international community of practitioners, researchers, industry representatives, and stakeholders engaged in the advancement and application of remotely operated and autonomous surface vehicle technologies in ocean observing.

Network Goal:

The Network seeks to foster collaboration, streamline data and technology standards, and promote best practices in deployment, operations, and data sharing for USVs.

Network Background:

In April 2025, a global USV Network, “SUN Fleet,” was endorsed by the Global Ocean Observing System, ‘GOOS’, a UNESCO International Oceanographic Commission and World Meteorological Organisation program. The aims of the network are to meet the ten GOOS attributes, which includes delivering scientific USV data to global weather services to improve forecasting, and fostering the delivery of trusted scientific data in collaboration with industry.

Status of SUN Fleet

  • March 2025 – Cornerstone Community USV Global Network paper published

  • April 2025 – USV Global Network was endorsed by the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)

  • May 2025 – Create Acting Committee and establish 12-month priorities

  • July 31, 2025 – Deadline to become a sponsor for the September inaugural USV Network Governance Strategy Meeting

  • September 2025 – Inaugural USV Global Network meeting (Seattle, WA)

  • February 2026 – Host open, in-person SUN Fleet meeting and science sessions at OSM in Scotland, UK

Network Sponsorship Opportunities

Join SUN Fleet, the world’s first coordinated Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV) network, endorsed by GOOS, UNESCO, and WMO. Sponsorship will advance core activities, including the development of governance, the enabling of real-time USV metadata sharing, and program communications and coordination.

Sponsors gain:

  • Premium global brand exposure
  • Leadership access to ocean science & tech stakeholders
  • Opportunities to shape trusted data practices and policy

Learn more about sponsorship opportunities here!

USV for GOOS Webinar Series

This bi-monthly OASIS Webinar Series is aimed at Developing a Community of Practice for the Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV) Network for a Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). Each webinar features lightning talks from cross-sector speakers sharing lessons learned, future plans, impacts of assimilating USV data, data management efforts, industry solutions, and more. See previous webinars below and on the OASIS youtube channel.

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