COVE and The Launch support national field trials focused on autonomous maritime surveillance and integrated defence technologies
Halifax, Nova Scotia – 27 May 2026 – COVE is proud to support the Canadian Autonomy Trials Series–Maritime (CATS-M) in Holyrood, NL. The inaugural trial brought together remotely piloted and autonomous maritime platforms, acoustic sensors, and information systems to provide a realistic, system-integration-level environment for detecting and tracking underwater targets.
With a focus on underwater domain awareness, the CATS-M trial series is part of an ongoing collaboration between COVE and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) to support maritime testing and validation of innovative technologies with industry partners. This CATS-M trial integrated solutions from several COVE ecosystem partners, including Open Ocean Robotics, JASCO Applied Sciences, and General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada.
The CATS-M trial series is a critical step in advancing Canadian capabilities in autonomous maritime surveillance.
“CATS-M highlights the value of collaborative experimentation in advancing autonomous maritime capability,” said Melanie Nadeau, CEO of COVE. “Working together in a realistic operational setting allows partners to better develop, test, and scale integrated surveillance and autonomous systems.”
The trial was held at The Launch, a remote test centre in Holyrood, NL, operated by the Marine Institute. COVE and The Launch recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance collaboration on testing, applied research, and commercialization of Canadian-developed technologies.
“The Launch was created to support the development and demonstration of marine technologies in real-world environments,” said Kelly Santos, Executive Director of The Launch. “Working with COVE will expand opportunities for innovators, researchers, and SMEs to access the expertise, infrastructure, and partnerships needed to help bring Canadian-developed technologies to market.”
A stakeholder event at The Launch on May 12 provided invited guests with an opportunity to observe elements of the experimentation activity and engage with trial partners.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS
About COVE
COVE is a global technology partner advancing high-impact solutions from seabed to space. COVE transforms innovation into market-ready technologies through testing, commercialization support, market expertise, and access to critical infrastructure. Through its networks and mission-driven platform, COVE connects investors, innovators, industry, and the research community to drive cutting-edge capabilities for commercial and defence applications.
About The Launch
The Launch, operated by Marine Institute, is a marine technology test and validation hub supporting applied research, autonomous systems development, and cold-ocean innovation through access to operationally relevant environments, technical expertise, and collaborative partnerships.
About DRDC
Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is the Defence Team’s science and technology organization. It anticipates future defence and security challenges and works closely with allies and partners, industry and Canada’s research community, to develop advanced solutions.