Copenhagen Orca USV revealed at DSEI 2025 for covert monitoring.

At DSEI 2025, Copenhagen Global A/S presents the Copenhagen Orca, a newly developed Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) that was officially revealed earlier this year at DALO Industry Days 2025. The launch took place in front of more than one hundred attendees, where the Danish company introduced what it describes as the first high-speed, low-signature wave-piercing USV. The vessel has been designed and completed in less than nine months, marking the start of its public introduction to the defense market.
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The Copenhagen Orca is designed to operate with a payload capacity of 825 kilograms, a maximum range of 537 nautical miles, and speeds exceeding 40 knots. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Copenhagen Orca is designed to operate with a payload capacity of 825 kilograms, a maximum range of 537 nautical miles, and speeds exceeding 40 knots. The vessel integrates advanced electronic and software features intended to reduce vulnerabilities to interference, including jamming-resistant systems and AI-supported operational functions. These technical characteristics place the Orca within the new generation of USVs intended to combine long endurance with adaptability across various naval tasks.

The development of the Copenhagen Orca is the result of a network of industrial and technological partners. Copenhagen Global A/S collaborates with Maritime Robotics AS for maritime autonomy expertise, Teledyne RESON and Teledyne FLIR for sonar and sensor integration, Radionor Communications AS for communication systems, Microsoft for digital infrastructure, and Atreides for additional technological inputs. This consortium highlights the complexity of USV development, where integrated systems from multiple companies must operate seamlessly to ensure reliability in demanding environments.

In addition to industrial partnerships, Copenhagen Global A/S has initiated cooperation with Danish Technological Institute and the University of Southern Denmark. These agreements aim to anchor the program in a continuous research and development process, drawing on academic knowledge to refine autonomy, navigation, and operational resilience. This combination of industry and academia reflects a strategy designed to sustain the vessel’s relevance beyond its initial launch.

Copenhagen Global A/S positions the Copenhagen Orca as a platform adaptable to different missions, from surveillance and reconnaissance to potential support for electronic warfare. The modular payload and extended range allow navies to consider the vessel for both coastal defense and blue-water operations. The unveiling at DSEI 2025 signals the company’s intention to reach international clients, situating the Orca within a competitive market where USV technology is becoming increasingly relevant for both NATO and non-NATO states.

The introduction of the Copenhagen Orca illustrates Copenhagen Global A/S’s strategy to secure a place in the expanding field of maritime unmanned systems. In practical terms, the vessel could be deployed for surveillance and reconnaissance along coastlines, where its low signature and speed make it difficult to detect and intercept. Its payload capacity allows integration of specialized equipment, from advanced sensors to communication relays, enabling it to operate as an intelligence-gathering platform or as a node in a larger networked fleet. In contested waters, its jamming-resistant systems provide resilience against electronic interference, while the AI-supported functions reduce the need for constant human oversight, lowering operational risks.

A key application could be cable surveillance in the Baltic Sea, where Russian activity has increased concerns about the security of critical infrastructure. Thanks to its furtive design and endurance, the Copenhagen Orca can discreetly patrol subsea cable routes, detect anomalies, and provide early warning of interference. By offering a persistent and cost-effective presence, it brings to the table a practical tool for protecting vital infrastructure and enhancing maritime security in a region under growing strategic pressure.

Written by Matt Delvoye - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition

Matt Delvoye holds degrees in political science from the University of Liège and the University of Brussels, with a specialization in international relations as well as defense and security policy. He works as a defense analyst at Army Recognition, where he covers international defense events and provides daily reporting on military equipment and industry developments.