Ocius launches hybrid-powered Bluebottle USV for surveillance

Ocius Technology launched a new 24 ft Bluebottle USV variant equipped with a hybrid energy system in late November. (Ocius Technology)

Australia's Ocius Technology has launched a 24 ft version of its Bluebottle unmanned surface vehicle (USV) with a hybrid energy system to enable longer endurance and wider deployments.

A spokesperson for Ocius told Janes that this new USV variant, called the Bluebottle Hybrid, will be powered by renewable energy sources and diesel. In addition to being powered by solar, wind, and wave sources such as traditional Bluebottles, the Bluebottle Hybrid will be equipped with a diesel generator set with 400 litres of diesel, the spokesperson said.

In late November, Ocius CEO Robert Dane said, “The Bluebottle Hybrids can deploy sonar arrays to varying depths and do surface intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and hydrography at high latitudes in winter where there may be little or no sun.”

The Bluebottles are in service with the navies of Australia and New Zealand. The USV was initially produced as a 22 ft-long platform. The spokesperson said, “After a design review in 2024, all Ocius Bluebottles are now 6% larger at the 24 ft size. Classes produced at this size are the Bluebottle (100% renewable energy class) and Bluebottle Hybrid. They use the same logistics as one another and have vastly more internal space than the 22 ft version.”

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) currently has 15 Bluebottle USVs, which the service operates from Darwin, northern Australia, the spokesperson said. All Bluebottles in service with the RAN are 24 ft in length and are deployed for the persistent surveillance of Australian waters, the spokesperson added. The RAN disclosed its plans to procure Bluebottle USVs in November 2022.