Naval Postgraduate School Orders WAM-V 8 for Littoral Sensing and Autonomous Systems Research

The order extends an existing Naval Postgraduate School relationship from persistent ocean sensing to mobile maritime research.

Rhea-AI Summary

Ocean Power Technologies (OPTT) received an order from the Naval Postgraduate School for a WAM-V 8 maritime drone for coastal research.

Researchers in the school's Consortium for Robotics and Unmanned Systems Education & Research plan to use the drone for coastal sensing and autonomous-systems research, including integrating atmospheric and electro-optical instruments. The order expands an existing relationship that included an OPT PowerBuoy deployed in Monterey Bay for oceanographic, meteorological, communications and maritime-sensing research. The WAM-V 8 adds a mobile research asset alongside that persistent sensing infrastructure.

Positive

• Minor pointNaval Postgraduate School order for a WAM-V 8 expands an existing customer relationship.

Negative

• None.

Argus 15 min delay 4 alerts

+1.52% vs previous close $0.98 last price 10.5x rel. volume Open Argus

Details

Market Reaction – OPTT

+1.9% Peak Tracked

$0.92 – $1.07 Day Range

$8.79M Market Cap

On Oct 8, the day this news came out, the latest delayed price for OPTT is 1.52% above the previous close. Argus tracked a peak move of +1.9% during the session. Our momentum scanner has recorded 4 alerts for this stock so far that day. The latest delayed price is $0.98. Relative volume is exceptionally heavy at 10.5x the average.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus (15 min delayed). Upgrade to Gold for real-time data.

Historical Context

2 past events · Latest: Sep 21

2 events

1. Sep 21

   WAM-V deployments

   24h Move

   +9.0%

   WAM-V 8 performed rapid environmental assessment and bathymetric surveys in amphibious surf zones.

2. Sep 18

   WAM-V testing

   24h Move

   +10.9%

   WAM-V 8 surf-zone testing evaluated sensor performance, vehicle configuration, and deployment methods.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

electro-optical instrumentation, shallow draft, bathymetric survey

3 terms

electro-optical instrumentation technical

"including the integration of atmospheric and electro-optical instrumentation."

Equipment and systems that combine optical components (lenses, mirrors, lasers, fibers, detectors) with electronic components (circuits, amplifiers, signal processors, control electronics) to generate, manipulate, transmit or measure light and convert between optical and electrical signals. Typical uses include sensing and measurement (spectroscopy, rangefinding, optical metrology), imaging, laser sources and beam delivery, and optical communications; the core mechanism is converting light phenomena into electrical signals or using electrical control to shape light. Distinct from purely electronic or purely optical devices, electro-optical instrumentation depends on precise alignment, calibration and often environmental control because its performance is sensitive to optical path, wavelength and electrical signal integrity.

shallow draft technical

"modular payload architecture and shallow draft allow researchers to configure"

The vertical distance from a vessel’s waterline down to the lowest point of its hull; a "shallow draft" means that this distance is relatively small so the vessel can operate in shallow water. A shallow draft lets a ship enter ports, rivers, canals, and coastal areas with limited depth but generally limits how much cargo, fuel or ballast the vessel can carry and can affect stability compared with deeper‑draft ships.

bathymetric survey technical

"the platform delivered bathymetric survey data in amphibious surf zones"

A bathymetric survey is the systematic measurement and mapping of underwater terrain, recording water depths and the shape of the seafloor or seabed. Surveyors collect depth data using instruments such as echo sounders, multibeam sonar, or airborne lidar, then correct those measurements for factors like tide and vessel position to produce depth charts, contour maps, or digital elevation models. The results show underwater features and slopes and are used for navigation, engineering, dredging, pipeline and cable routing, and environmental assessment; accuracy depends on equipment, survey method, and environmental conditions.

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Award expands an established OPT relationship from persistent ocean sensing to mobile maritime research

MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J., Oct. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (“OPT” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: OPTT), a leader in maritime operational infrastructure and autonomous ocean systems, today announced an order from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) for a WAM-V® 8 maritime drone.

Researchers from the NPS Consortium for Robotics and Unmanned Systems Education & Research (CRUSER) plans to use the WAM-V 8 as a mobile platform for littoral sensing and autonomous-systems research, including the integration of atmospheric and electro-optical instrumentation. The compact platform’s modular payload architecture and shallow draft allow researchers to configure and deploy specialized sensors in coastal operating environments. The order expands an established relationship between OPT and NPS. Their previous work has included an OPT PowerBuoy® deployed in Monterey Bay to support oceanographic, meteorological, communications, and maritime-sensing research. The WAM-V 8 adds a mobile research asset alongside that persistent sensing infrastructure.

Recent field operations have also demonstrated the WAM-V 8’s ability to perform work in demanding coastal conditions. At REPMUS 2026, the platform delivered bathymetric survey data in amphibious surf zones and was launched from shore ahead of amphibious operations. During a separate evaluation at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Field Research Facility, the WAM-V 8 operated in challenging surf-zone conditions and generated data on sensor performance, vehicle configuration, and deployment methods.

“NPS came to us with a defined research requirement: integrate specialized sensors on a compact autonomous platform for littoral experiments,” said Jason Weed, Chief Operating Officer of OPT. “The WAM-V 8’s modular architecture and demonstrated field performance make it well suited to that work. This order expands a relationship that began with persistent ocean sensing and now adds a mobile element.”

Tracy Pagliara, Acting President and CEO of OPT also stated: “The NPS order extends OPT’s relationship from persistent ocean sensing to mobile autonomous research. It reflects OPT’s role as an enabling maritime infrastructure layer, providing the mobile platform and integration framework designed to accommodate NPS sensors, data collection requirements, and research workflows.” For more information about Ocean Power Technologies, visit www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com.

ABOUT OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES

OPT provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets, including Merrows™, which provides AI capable seamless integration of Maritime Domain Awareness Systems across platforms. Our PowerBuoy® platforms provide clean and reliable electric power and real-time data communications for remote maritime and subsea applications. We also provide WAM-V® unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and marine robotics services. The Company’s headquarters is in Monroe Township, New Jersey, with an additional office in Richmond, California. To learn more about OPT’s products, services and solutions, visit www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release may contain forward-looking statements that are within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are identified by certain words or phrases such as "may", "will", "aim", "will likely result", "believe", "expect", "will continue", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "contemplate", "seek to", "future", "objective", "goal", "project", "should", "will pursue" and similar expressions or variations of such expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations about its future plans and performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates that could be inaccurate and subject to risks and uncertainties, including the potential for further expansion of the Company’s relationship with NPS and additional orders, the conversion of potential customers to contracts and the realization of the potential revenue thereunder. Actual results could vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement made by the Company. Please refer to the Company's most recent Forms 10-Q and 10-K and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. The Company disclaims any obligation or intent to update the forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

Contact Information

Investors: 203-561-6945 or investorrelations@oceanpowertech.com

Media: 609-730-0400 x402 or MediaRelations@oceanpowertech.com

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did the Naval Postgraduate School order from Ocean Power Technologies?

The Naval Postgraduate School ordered a WAM-V 8 maritime drone. Its researchers plan to use the platform for coastal sensing and autonomous-systems research, including the integration of atmospheric and electro-optical instruments.