Australian navy acquires five Bluebottle USVs
This Bluebottle named Brizo is seen patrolling remote Western Australia waters near Winy Alkan Island as part of Operation Resolute. (Photo: Department of Defence)
Australia steams ahead with new investment in indigenously developed USVs, plus a means of recovering/launching UUVs.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has bought another five Bluebottle autonomous persistent USVs from Ocius Technology.
A contract was announced by Head of Navy Capability RAdm Pete Quinn at a christening ceremony for the eighth and ninth hulls (Barra and Bombora, respectively). The ceremony occurred after Ocius’ annual general meeting on 24 November.
The contract is worth A$4.9 million ($3.3 million), and the five Bluebottles will be manufactured this year.
Quinn commented: ‘Over five years, as Head of Naval Capability, it has been fantastic being involved with Ocius and seeing Australian technology at the forefront.
‘Systems like Ocius Bluebottles
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![German and Indian shipbuilders vie for Project 75I submarine contract]()
German and Indian shipbuilders vie for Project 75I submarine contract
Another twist has occurred in India's tortuous pathway to obtaining six AIP-equipped submarines, as Germany seeks pole position.
-
![Buy more subs, urges Norwegian Defence Chief]()
Buy more subs, urges Norwegian Defence Chief
The Norwegian Chief of Defence has recommended the Scandinavian country procure more submarines in a report to the government about the future shape of its armed forces.
-
![Contenders for Malaysia’s LMS Batch 2 tender emerge at LIMA 2023]()
Contenders for Malaysia’s LMS Batch 2 tender emerge at LIMA 2023
Apart from making progress with its troubled LCS programme, the priority for Malaysia's navy right now is the next three Littoral Mission Ships.
-
![Italy marks progress on U212 NFS programme, as plans for next-gen submarines emerge]()
Italy marks progress on U212 NFS programme, as plans for next-gen submarines emerge
On 6 June at Fincantieri's Muggiano shipyard, steel was cut for the Italian Navy's second U212 Near Future Submarine (NFS).
-
![Romania quietly joins European Patrol Corvette effort]()
Romania quietly joins European Patrol Corvette effort
Romania has joined the effort to develop a future surface ship under the PESCO European Patrol Corvette (EPC) project.
-
![US and UK contract Kratos for Submarine Ballistic Missile Reentry Systems material testing]()
US and UK contract Kratos for Submarine Ballistic Missile Reentry Systems material testing
The US and UK have contracted Kratos Southern Research Engineering Division (SRE) for thermo-mechanical, high-heat, high-sheer re-entry material testing worth up to almost $47 million.
