Dutch defense technology company Optics11 is currently drawing significant interest from dozens of international navies for its specialized fiber-optic sensors designed to detect underwater activity across long distances. According to CEO Paul Heiden, the company currently serves between five and ten naval customers, while approximately 35 paid evaluations are planned for 2026. The technology utilizes light traveling through optical fibers to identify acoustic disturbances, providing an alternative to conventional underwater detection systems used by naval forces.
Key takeaways
- Optics11 is discussing underwater surveillance systems with dozens of navies and currently serves between five and ten naval customers.
- The company's sensors can reportedly detect oil tankers from approximately 100 kilometers away through underwater acoustic monitoring.
- Optics11 has raised about 100 million euros in the past 15 months and plans another funding round in 2027 targeting a billion-dollar valuation.
- Instead of using patents, the company relies on confidential business information to keep its most sensitive military technology secret.
Advanced underwater acoustic monitoring
Optics11 monitors underwater acoustic activity by measuring tiny changes in light traveling through specialized optical fibers installed along the seabed or deployed behind vessels. The company sells two principal systems, including OptiBarrier for fixed underwater surveillance and OptiArray, which operates as a towed sensor arrangement. Heiden noted that the technology can identify an oil tanker from approximately 100 kilometers, or 66 miles, away through underwater acoustic monitoring.
That detection capability makes the technology particularly useful for monitoring maritime traffic, identifying unusual underwater activity, and supporting anti-submarine surveillance operations. The company is developing a towed sensor system for the Royal Netherlands Navy's future Orka-class submarines, which France's Naval Group will supply. Its existing industry relationships include Saab, Rheinmetall, Fincantieri, Thales, and Exail, alongside Ocean Infinity, which Britain selected for its Atlantic Bastion underwater surveillance initiative. Furthermore, Optics11 works with several European naval forces, with ongoing evaluations involving Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and France.
Proprietary software and financial growth
Because the technology produces substantially more acoustic information than conventional piezoelectric sonar sensors, it requires specialized software to interpret the resulting underwater measurements. Optics11 discovered that existing third-party sonar applications could not handle its unusually dense datasets, prompting the development of proprietary software. Heiden explained that the high data density prevented the company from deriving any value from third-party sonar processing software. Additionally, the use of AI reduced the number of software developers required, allowing the company to employ about 10 specialists instead of the 60 to 80 previously anticipated.
The Royal Netherlands Navy has supported the company for at least eight years, providing millions of euros through subsidies, technical guidance, and submarine testing opportunities. Optics11 raised about 100 million euros in the past 15 months, including 25 million euros in venture debt from the European Investment Bank. The firm plans to pursue another funding round in 2027, potentially seeking a valuation exceeding $1 billion despite remaining unprofitable. Optics11 expects to achieve a positive cash flow in 2028, with planned expansion including additional offices and recruitment across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
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