Strengthening national resilience

through marine autonomy

Aerial view of Plymouth with buildings, roads, and green parks, overlooking the ocean with a clear blue sky.

Welcome to the National Centre for Marine Autonomy

The National Centre for Marine Autonomy (NCMA) is ensuring the UK is at the forefront of one of the world’s fastest-growing areas of dual-use technology.

Anchored in Plymouth – Britain’s Ocean City – the NCMA is an all-encompassing ecosystem comprising the largest naval base in Western Europe, large and small industries, cutting-edge science and development, and world-leading facilities.

It builds on the city’s long-held reputation as a global hub of marine and maritime innovation and excellence, and positions Plymouth as a national hub for testing, developing and deploying dual-use technologies.

It is enabling science and industry to innovate new and exciting applications across engineering, national security and resilience, environmental intelligence, clean energy, cyber security and much more.

We're hiring!

Could you be the National Centre for Marine Autonomy’s Director?

Deadline for applications is Sunday 25 October.

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Britain’s Ocean City

  • Testing facilities

    A state-of-the-art testbed, combining advanced onshore labs with extensive offshore ranges to validate and demonstrate next-generation marine autonomous systems

  • Research capabilities

    A world-class research community driving breakthroughs in ocean technology, maritime cyber security and autonomous marine operations

  • Marine infrastructure

    With sheltered, deep, uncongested waters and key operational sites, we have ideal conditions for marine autonomy operations

  • Industry hub

    A vibrant marine autonomy sector, hosting companies developing autonomous vessels, sensors and AI-enabled maritime technologies

  • Changing regulations

    Removing barriers to enable industry, government and academia to deliver operational, economic and societal impact

  • Skills and training

    Existing and new education pathways will deliver a skilled, future-ready marine autonomy workforce

  • UK's only Defence Freeport

    Offering 88+ hectares of employment land across three tax sites

Dual-use technology

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Advanced Marine Technology

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Research & Development

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Green Technologies

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Cyber Security

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Skills and training

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Simulation & Digital Twins

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Regulatory & Policy Support

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Data & Sensors

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Test Ranges

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Marine Infrastructure

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Robotics Labs

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Dual-use technology · Advanced Marine Technology · Research & Development · Green Technologies · Cyber Security · Skills and training · Simulation & Digital Twins · Regulatory & Policy Support · Data & Sensors · Test Ranges · Marine Infrastructure · Robotics Labs ·

Defence-driven Growth

Plymouth is central to the UK’s defence capability and resilience.

Led by a consortium of civic, industry and academic partners – under the banner of Team Plymouth – there is an unprecedented focus on innovations that deliver benefits for the city and region, in turn acting as the catalyst for major economic and social change.

More than £4 billion has been committed to HM Naval Base Devonport and Babcock’s Devonport Royal Dockyard, and Plymouth is the only city to receive funding through the UK Government’s Defence Growth Deal programme.

The University of Plymouth is a founding member of the Defence Universities Alliance, and City College Plymouth is one of the UK’s only Defence Technical Excellence Colleges.

The National Centre for Marine Autonomy is aligned to all these activities and essential for celebrating the city’s expertise, facilities and ingenuity in marine autonomy in a way that inspires a new vision for defence-driven growth.

Multi-million pound investment

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New support for businesses

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Hundreds of new jobs

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New skills and training

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Multi-million pound investment · New support for businesses · Hundreds of new jobs · New skills and training ·

  • "Defence is an engine for growth. This an opportunity to develop, scale up and test marine autonomy. This sector is incredible, innovative and the work we are doing in the city is cutting edge. There is a place for investment and that’s Plymouth.

    —Luke Pollard

    MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

  • "The NCMA provides an opportunity to build on these strengths, create jobs, develop skills, and ensure the UK maintains a strong role internationally in marine technology

    —Rebecca Smith

    MP for South West Devon

  • "Plymouth is a world leader in marine autonomy. We have fantastic companies working on cutting-edge technologies that are leading the way for British innovation.

    —Fred Thomas

    MP for Plymouth Moor View

  • "Investing in Plymouth's businesses for testing and developing marine autonomy will enable UK PLC to build sovereign capabilities and secure a significant share in this growing market, particularly in the fields of defence, renewables, and oil and gas.

    —Cllr Tudor Evans OBE

    Leader, Plymouth City Council

  • "Working across existing and new collaborations, we can now push forward with ambitious plans to grow a sector that is critical to our nation’s defence and security, and has the potential to benefit the environment, business, health and much more.

    —Professor Richard Davies

    Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth