Polish technology startup AFLEET has begun the next stage in the development of its autonomous surface vessel, the A550. The prototype unmanned platform has been launched in Świnoujście, and the project is now moving from construction to testing and trials of its systems in real-world conditions. We saw the vessel on the water.

The A550 was built at the Open Sea facility in Świnoujście. The vessel is 5.5 metres long and 1.8 metres wide. It has been designed as a modular unmanned surface vessel (USV) platform. Its design allows various types of equipment and sensors to be installed, including multibeam echosounders, as well as enabling cooperation with aerial and underwater drones.

According to AFLEET's plans, the vessel will be capable of conducting autonomous operations for up to five days without having to return to port. The platform can be controlled from shore or from a mothership, depending on the nature of the mission.

Technology for offshore operations and Baltic Sea surveys

“Ultimately, the A550 is intended to carry out commercial tasks in the Baltic, primarily related to seabed surveys and supporting the developing offshore wind energy sector” – says Maksymilian Ananiew, CEO of AFLEET.

Potential applications for the platform also include monitoring critical infrastructure, including cables, pipelines and wind farms. The vessel can be used for hydrographic, environmental, inspection and surveying operations.

The project's key feature is intended to be its modularity. AFLEET is not developing a vessel dedicated to a single type of operation, but rather a platform whose equipment can be adapted to the requirements of a particular customer and the nature of the mission.

The development of unmanned technologies is part of an increasingly strong trend towards the automation of offshore operations. In some applications, smaller autonomous vessels can replace larger crewed ships, reducing operating costs while enabling long-duration surveying and monitoring operations.

From startup to real-world deployment

AFLEET has been developing the A550 project for several years. The company was previously awarded the Golden Anchor during the BALTEXPO trade fair in the startup category. In March 2026, the company announced that it had begun cooperation with MEWO. This is its first commercial agreement, while the startup's management has announced further business projects. The platform was built at the Open Sea facility in Świnoujście.

The launch of the prototype and the start of trials mark one of the most important stages in the project's development. The tests are intended to verify the vessel's performance and the operation of its autonomous systems before commercial operations begin.

If the subsequent trials are successful, the A550 could become one of the first autonomous surface vessels developed and built in Poland for commercial use in the offshore, hydrographic and maritime infrastructure-monitoring sectors.

Photos: AFLEET press release