Australia Orders 40 Bluebottle USVs for Surveillance

Australia’s government has announced a $176 million investment to acquire 40 new Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), expanding the navy’s fleet to 55 units.

The Bluebottle platform was developed in partnership with the Royal Australian Navy and initially funded through the Defence Innovation Hub. The vessel is designed for long-endurance operations and uses solar, wind and wave energy for propulsion and power. It can conduct surface and sub-surface surveillance, carry payloads and operate within integrated maritime forces.

The investment is expected to create around 50 jobs at Ocius’ new manufacturing facility in Sydney. A second production site in the New South Wales Hunter region and suppliers across Australia will support production.

The Ocius Bluebottle is a 6.8-meter autonomous USV powered by solar, wind and wave energy and designed for long-duration maritime missions. It can operate for months at sea, carry up to 300 kilograms of modular payload, and reach a maximum speed of about 5–6.5 knots.

The vessel measures 6.8 meters in length with a 1.3-meter beam and 1.6-meter draft, with a full load displacement of about 800 kilograms. It typically operates at 2–4 knots and supports payloads between 300 and 600 kilograms. Key features include a patented keel winch cassette for sensor deployment, satellite communications, and a “human-on-the-loop” remote control system.