Royal Australian Navy to procure Bluebottle surveillance USVs

Under a contract from the Australian Department of Defence, Ocius will supply 40 Bluebottle USVs (pictured) to the Royal Australian Navy by 2031. (Commonwealth of Australia)

The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has awarded a contract worth AUD176 million (USD126 million) to domestic company Ocius Technology to procure its unmanned surface vehicle (USV) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Under the contract, Ocius will deliver 40 Bluebottle USVs to the DoD to enhance the RAN's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, the DoD announced on 11 March.

Ocius said these Bluebottles will be manufactured at the company's new facility in Sydney with production support from another facility located in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales. The company added that it will complete delivery of these Bluebottles by the end of 2031.

Australia's Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said, “With [the Bluebottle USVs], we are able to increase surveillance of Australia's northern approaches and respond to increasing maritime threats.”

Ocius CEO Robert Dane said, “These Bluebottles are like ‘satellites of the sea', delivering ISR capabilities that keep constant watch over and under our oceans at disruptively low cost.”

Ocius has previously supplied 15 Bluebottles powered by renewable energy to the RAN. The company said most of these Bluebottles have been deployed to support the Australian Defence Force's (ADF's) Operation ‘Resolute', which is focused on protecting Australia's borders and offshore maritime interests in partnership with the Australian Border Force.

Dane told Janes on 11 March that the new Bluebottles to be delivered to the RAN will also be powered by renewable energy, including solar, wind, and wave energy. Renewable energy sources enable longer and quieter operation of USVs.