Australia has committed 176 million Australian dollars ($125 million) to expand the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of domestically developed Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).
Through a contract with Ocius Technology, Canberra has ordered 40 additional Bluebottle USVs, increasing the navy’s total fleet to 55 autonomous vessels designed for long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
Manufacturing will take place at Ocius’ advanced facility in Sydney, with additional support from its NSW Hunter production site.
Bluebottle USV
The Bluebottle platform was developed through collaboration between Ocius Technology and the Royal Australian Navy, with early support from the Defence Innovation Hub.
The navy received its first batch of Bluebottle USVs in 2023, primarily deploying them for surveillance operations in northern Australian waters and maritime border patrol duties.
Powered by solar, wind, and wave energy, the vessel is designed for extended endurance at sea. Within the existing fleet, each platform can typically remain on station for around 75 days, while the longest recorded deployment lasted more than six months, according to Pat Conroy, Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry.
Measuring 6.8 meters (22 feet) in length, the Bluebottle can carry mission payloads, operate alongside crewed and uncrewed maritime systems, and conduct persistent surface and subsurface monitoring while maintaining a low acoustic signature.
Australian officials are also studying the vessel’s future potential, including deploying drones, integrating kinetic weapons, and operating in coordinated missions with other naval platforms.
