C2 Robotics, Thales Australia partner to enhance Speartooth LUUV capabilities

C2 Robotics founders, Michael Bailey (left) and Thomas Loveard, with a Speartooth large unmanned underwater vehicle at a test site. Under a recent collaboration agreement with Thales Australia, Speartooth will be equipped with Thales' sonar system. (C2 Robotics)

Melbourne-based C2 Robotics has partnered with Thales Australia to enhance the capabilities of its Speartooth large unmanned underwater vehicle (LUUV).

Thales Australia will supply its sonar sensor system for Speartooth, Thales and C2 Robotics announced on 28 October.

Marcus Hellyer, C2 Robotics' director of strategy, told Janes on 30 October that the Thales sonar can enhance the “autonomy, reliability, and safety” of Speartooth.

“Essentially the sonar will allow Speartooth to more accurately detect and avoid obstacles including other vessels. This will contribute to increasing users' trust in the Speartooth system and expanding the range of missions it can conduct and the range of environments it can operate in,” Hellyer said.

Hellyer added, “We are confident that integration work can begin quickly. Thales is supplying an existing sonar that is already in production. Due to its small size, the integration doesn't have significant space, weight, or power requirements that would need us to alter Speartooth.”

Hellyer did not provide more details about the Thales sonar system that will be integrated into Speartooth. Thales Australia had not responded to Janes request for more information about the sonar system at the time of publication.

C2 Robotics has been collaborating with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to develop Speartooth. The LUUV is available in two prototype lengths, 8 m and 11 m, with a focus on containerised deployment.