ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA) announced that its ZenaDrone subsidiary has begun field testing its IQ Aqua autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) near Pensacola, Florida, months after the prototype was first unveiled in March 2026.

The testing program includes both controlled aquatic environments and open water, with the engineering team evaluating the drone's stability, maneuverability, sensors, and autonomous navigation capabilities. ZenaTech said the Pensacola location is near one of its existing Drone as a Service office sites.

The IQ Aqua is designed for defense applications including undersea mine detection, covert underwater intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and port and harbor threat detection. The platform is also being developed for commercial uses such as autonomous inspection of energy pipelines, bridges, and other maritime infrastructure.

In parallel, ZenaDrone is developing an IQ Aqua Version 2 at its manufacturing facility in the United Arab Emirates, with components being ordered and assembly preparation underway. The company said Version 2 is being engineered with a different propulsion system to improve speed and operational range, with completion targeted in the coming weeks.

ZenaTech CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D., said in a statement: "Underwater mine detection is one of the most pressing gaps in modern maritime warfare as mines are inexpensive to deploy and dangerous and costly to clear using traditional manned methods, and militaries around the world are actively looking for autonomous alternatives."

The company said it plans to target U.S. defense customers, NATO partners, U.S.-allied Gulf nations, and commercial customers. According to Global Market Insights, the global underwater drone market is projected to exceed $16 billion by 2034.