Grants and Incentives Case Study: Crewless Marine

How They were Innovative

With support from the Leyton Grants Team, Crewless Marine secured a U.S. Department of Defense grant for Multi-sensor and Acoustic Contact Localization through Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning. This program funds the development of technology that uses passive sensor data and artificial intelligence to detect and track maritime entities.

Crewless Marine stood out for aligning closely with the program’s goals, proposing a unified, intuitive heads-up display for multi-array sensor data to support Target Motion Analysis (TMA). In its Phase I application, the company detailed an approach combining sensor fusion, acoustic processing, and real-time visualization.

As part of its everyday R&D, the company builds custom arrays using proprietary or off-the-shelf hydrophones integrated with its own data acquisition and analysis tools. These systems have been deployed in Florida, Narragansett Bay, and Block Island Sound.

In its application to Phase I of the grant, the company detailed a developed concept for an AI/ML-based Target Motion Analysis (TMA) tool. The Phase I Option focused on demonstrating feasibility using unclassified data through analysis, modeling, simulation, and testing. If the Phase I Option is exercised, it will include the initial specifications and capability description for building a prototype in Phase II.

The Benefit

Before conducting their study, Leyton’s Grants & Incentives team took the time to develop a deep understanding of Crewless Marine’s work and capabilities. The insight allowed them to assist in the company’s application to a strategic funding opportunity, ultimately securing a $240,000 award to support Crewless Marine’s continued innovation in maritime science.