BlueBottle Uncrewed Surface Vessel fleet now complete

The Royal Australian Navy has received its fifth and final BlueBottle Uncrewed Surface Vessel (pictured) powered only by the wind, sun and wave action.

Manufactured by Ocius Technologies, the BlueBottle can cover long distances, undertake a variety of missions, and stay at sea for extended periods.

BlueBottle vessel BEACON recently spent two travelling to and surveying the waters around Nishinoshima Island, the volcanic island 940 km south-southeast of Tokyo.

According to Ocius: “While there she also took the time to take some footage of the volcano at the heart of the island.

“During her 12 days at sea BEACON travelled over 348 nautical miles before being tied up back at the dock for a well earned rest.”

Sydney-based Ocius, which specialises in creating autonomous solutions for maritime surveillance, designed and manufactured the 7-metre-long BlueBottle.

The Navy will add the latest BlueBottle to a fleet of four already in service, according to Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite.

Thistlethwaite said: “Ocius Technologies and other innovative local businesses are the engine room of the Australian defence industry.

“They provide leading edge capabilities to assist in contending with an increasingly complex strategic environment.

“Investing in partnerships with Australian companies such as Ocius Technologies is critical if Australia is going to meet the challenges of our dynamic strategic environment.”

The fourth Bluebottle USV was delivered to the Royal Australian Navy in May and took part in a series of exercises with its previously delivered siblings in and around Jervis Bay (pictured).

The exercises included practising fleet formations and an overnight picket of the entrance to the bay.

Further reading:
Navy to acquire Ocius Bluebottle drones
Browse @AuManufacturing’s coverage of Ocius Technologies here.

Picture: Ocius Technologies/BlueBottles in formation at Jervis Bay