BELOIT, Wisconsin — April 15, 2026 : Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) has formally introduced AutoHook™, a fully autonomous vessel recovery interface developed by its Norway-based subsidiary Vestdavit. The system is designed to support Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and other maritime assets and establishes a new benchmark in autonomous Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) by enabling operations without human intervention at the critical connection point.
System Overview and Design
AutoHook is engineered as a compact, lightweight clamp-on-davit wire unit that can be mounted directly onto existing davit systems without requiring modifications to winches or structural components. The unit integrates multiple subsystems—including thrusters, onboard control systems, an artificial intelligence-based vision system, and its own power supply—within a single minimal-footprint configuration.
The system eliminates the need for an additional cradle during loading and unloading operations, reducing both equipment requirements and handling complexity. It is designed for interoperability across allied maritime fleets and aligns with NATO operational standards, allowing integration into a wide range of naval platforms without significant capital investment.
Operational Capabilities and Sea State Performance
A central feature of AutoHook is its ability to operate in higher sea conditions than existing systems. Traditional autonomous recovery solutions have generally been limited to Sea State 2 conditions. AutoHook has achieved operational acceptance at Sea State 4, extending the operational envelope for unmanned maritime recovery.
The system is designed with safety as a primary consideration. By removing the requirement for personnel to manually attach lifting hooks in high-energy marine environments, AutoHook reduces the risk of injuries during launch and recovery operations.
Autonomous Recovery Process
AutoHook operates through a four-phase automated sequence:
- Targeting: The system uses an AI-driven vision system to identify and track the lifting point of an approaching vessel in real time, independent of operator control units.
- Aligning: Integrated thrusters and automated guidance systems adjust the unit’s position to achieve precise alignment with the target.
- Connecting: The system performs a controlled, automated lock into the lifting receptacle and transmits confirmation to the vessel’s davit control interface.
- Hoisting: After verification of a secure connection, the operator initiates hoisting, enabling recovery without direct crew involvement at the connection point.
This process improves operational speed and consistency while minimizing exposure of personnel to hazardous conditions.
Industry Context and Company Perspective
The introduction of AutoHook reflects broader developments in distributed maritime operations and the increasing deployment of unmanned naval systems.
Rolf Andreas Wigand, Chief Executive Officer of Vestdavit, stated that the system addresses longstanding operational constraints associated with launch and recovery in challenging sea conditions. He noted that AutoHook enables reliable, fully automated ship-to-craft connections in environments that have historically required manual intervention, particularly beyond Sea State 2 limitations.
According to Wigand, the system is intended to support fleet modernization and provide scalable capabilities for the United States and allied maritime forces operating in diverse and demanding conditions.
Integration and Fleet Compatibility
AutoHook is designed for universal compatibility with standard davit systems across naval fleets. Its clamp-on configuration enables straightforward retrofitting on existing vessels, avoiding the need for extensive redesign or costly infrastructure upgrades.
The system supports evolving mission requirements associated with unmanned maritime platforms and is suitable for deployment across a range of naval and coast guard operations.
Corporate Background
Fairbanks Morse Defense, a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, expanded its maritime handling capabilities through the acquisition of Vestdavit in September 2025. The acquisition positioned Vestdavit as a center of excellence for davit and launch-and-recovery technologies within FMD’s broader portfolio, which includes naval power, propulsion, and mission-critical systems supplied to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and allied forces.
Upcoming Demonstrations
FMD and Vestdavit are scheduled to conduct live demonstrations of the AutoHook system at the Sea Air Space Expo 2026, taking place from April 19 to April 22, 2026, in National Harbor, Maryland. The system will be showcased at Booth #1337, where industry professionals and maritime operators will be able to observe its functionality and discuss integration options.
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