From a distance, it almost completely blends into the horizon. But the difference becomes clear when the four-metre-long, 850-kilogram craft picks up speed and rushes through the water off Lidingö in Stockholm.
For those at sea in the area, it is not immediately clear what they have just seen passing at just over 20 knots. The answer is a new type of unmanned, autonomous drone from Swedish defence company Nautrik, intended for both military and civilian use. The company was founded by its CEO, Oscar Fors, and it all started in his garage.
With the war in Ukraine, I did what many others did and signed up for the Home Guard. But at the same time, I thought I had to be able to do something more, he says aboard the combat boat, where it is possible to monitor and control the drones.
“From the world of video games”
The vessel launched by Nautrik, the Riverine 4, can simply be described as a completely unmanned drone powered by artificial intelligence.
Two boats are out this morning, but the aim is for a whole group to be deployable from ships or from land and operate as a unit. On a digital screen, a company employee shows a simulation of two marine drones assigned to investigate an area at sea. As they move across the screen, it looks like an advanced computer game, and the analogy is not entirely off the mark.
We have taken a lot from the world of computer games in terms of how to interact, and we have received help from some computer game gurus who have founded large companies in Stockholm and become very successful, says Oscar Fors.
The company's management is careful to point out that the boats do not have to be used for military purposes. In theory, they could just as easily monitor oil pipelines or transport supplies, for example. However, they can be armed. The US, for example, used naval drones for the first time in its war against Iran just a couple of weeks ago.
For example, it could be a system with machine guns that can use sensors to identify flying drones and act as close protection for a boat, he says.
A number of investors
The company has flown under the radar. The interview with TT is its first major one, but Nautrik has also attracted a number of investors. The board now includes former commander-in-chief Micael Bydén, and one of the investors is comedian David Batra.
Oscar Fors does not want to comment in detail on the company's order backlog, but notes that it has one - orders that have not yet been delivered.
This year we will not have time to deliver everything we have sold.
And is it primarily for the Swedish defence?
Our main focus is to strengthen the Swedish defence. We develop capabilities based on real operational needs, and we do it faster than traditional actors.
Correction: An earlier version included an incorrect year in the fact box.
Facts: Nautrik
Nautrik is a Swedish defence and security technology company. CEO Oscar Fors has a background in management at battery manufacturer Northvolt and electric boat company X Shore, and as a partner at management consultancy Accenture.
Investors include financial figures such as Staffan Sahlén and Thomas von Koch, as well as comedian David Batra.
The company is developing a type of diesel-powered, unmanned and autonomous boat. The system is AI-powered, but an operator can control the boats when needed. The boats are built by boat company Nimbus Group.
Even if communication is interrupted or GPS signals are turned off, the craft can continue to navigate.
Nautrik is also collaborating with other players, such as drone manufacturer Airolit, allowing the vehicles to be integrated with flying drones.
The drones are intended for both civilian and military use. This could include surveillance and intelligence work, protection or escort for boats, or mine clearance. Civilian missions could include monitoring infrastructure such as submarine cables.
What do you think?