MODUS SWARM<\/a>.<\/p>\nAutonomous and remote operation, leveraging proven commercial off the shelf solutions, while ensuring interoperability with 3rd party Command and Control (C2) software systems.<\/p>\n
Flexible Construction: made from either carbon fibre, fibre glass, aluminium or HDPE. With a production rate exceeding 25 units per month using standard construction methods, WHAI offers a window into generating capability throughput at low cost.<\/p>\n
This combination, says EDGE Defence, enables WHAI to operate as both a standalone ISR platform or as part of a networked autonomous system, supporting larger maritime and joint-force operations.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Edge3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Image: Render of Whai being launched by electric-amphibious remotely operated boat launcher by Tectrax New Zealand, a partner of EDGE Defence.<\/p>\n
Designed for the modern operating environment<\/p>\n
With increasing demand for persistent maritime awareness across New Zealand\u2019s Exclusive Economic Zone and the wider Pacific, WHAI has been engineered to support:<\/p>\n
Maritime domain awareness and coastal surveillance across littoral operations.<\/p>\n
Force protection and training support for naval vessels<\/p>\n
Target simulation and autonomous training aids<\/p>\n
Critical underwater infrastructure (CUI) monitoring (ports, energy, and communications assets)<\/p>\n
Rapid-response deployment in remote or austere environments<\/p>\n
Whai\u2019s electric architecture also aligns with growing requirements for reduced logistical burden and lower environmental impact, particularly in sensitive maritime regions where hazardous material spill risks are unacceptable.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Edge1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
New Zealand innovation supporting Defence capability<\/p>\n
\u201cWHAI reflects our commitment to delivering cost-effective, future proofed, deployable capability for defence and security clients,\u201d said John Gell, General Manager of EDGE Defence Ltd.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are seeing a clear shift toward autonomous and uncrewed systems that can extend operational reach while reducing risk to personnel,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWHAI has been designed from the ground up to meet that need-combining low-signature performance, modularity, and rapid deployability in a New Zealand-developed platform. Backed by the support of over 10 local suppliers and subcontractors, WHAI demonstrates how sovereign industry capability can deliver outstanding capability in short time frames.\u201d<\/p>\n
A scalable autonomous ecosystem<\/p>\n
WHAI forms part of EDGE Defence\u2019s broader roadmap for uncrewed maritime systems, complementing larger platforms such as the RAZOR 5.5m USV and TEMPEST 7m, future long-endurance vessels.<\/p>\n
Together, these systems are being developed to operate as a layered, scalable capability, enabling:<\/p>\n
Distributed ISR networks<\/p>\n
Autonomous task grouping and swarming concepts<\/p>\n
Integration with crewed naval assets and shore-based command systems<\/p>\n
EDGE Defence is currently progressing WHAI through experimentation and operational testing, with engagement underway across Indopacific Defence Forces, government agencies, and commercial stakeholders.<\/p>\n
Demonstrations and collaborative trials will continue into 2026.<\/p>\n
EDGE Defence Ltd is a New Zealand-based provider of modular capability systems and integrated solutions for defence, security, and critical infrastructure sectors. The company specialises in uncrewed systems, deployable energy solutions, and mission-ready hardware, supporting clients across New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Edge4-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Developed and built in New Zealand for operations across the Indo-Pacific. Image supplied. EDGE Defence has unveiled WHAI,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":344402,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[183582,183583,111,43,139,69,183584,183585],"class_list":["post-344401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-zealand","tag-edge-defence","tag-john-gell","tag-new-zealand","tag-news","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-usv","tag-whai"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=344401"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344401\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/344402"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=344401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=344401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=344401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"WHAI\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Edge2-678x381.jpg\" "\\"Edge2\\"\/")