Australian Navy to acquire five Bluebottle Uncrewed Surface Vessels.

According to a PR published by Ocius on November 28, 2022, at a christening ceremony following the Annual General Meeting of Ocius, RADM Pete Quinn Head of Navy Capability said the Navy will purchase five Bluebotte USVs.
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Bluebottle Uncrewed Surface Vessel. (Picture source: Ocius)

The Bluebottle Uncrewed Surface Vessel advance in all conditions and can reach 5 knots hull speed. It can be launched from a boat ramp/ ship and can carry a 300 kg modular payload.

When deployed, the patented hard solar sail harnesses both solar and wind energy. When not desired it automatically folds snuggly into the deck of the Bluebottle like the wing of a bird, so 100% retracted but also not taking up precious payload space within the vessel.

Intelligent programming means the solar sail reacts autonomously to the sea, sun & wind conditions to ensure efficient and safe operation for all mission requirements.

Multiple sensors are available as options underwater, inside the hull, and on the aft comms mast. An Integrated and networked communication system allows live tracking. All vessels can be monitored while operating autonomously or controlled remotely, constantly sending data back to the control room.

The patented rudder-flipper steers, guides, and powers the unmanned vessel generating forward thrust from the pitching of the vessel in the waves of the ocean. The bigger the sea state the stronger the forces.

In seastates over Seastate 6 the solarsail automatically lowers and the rudder passively propels the vessel in the desired direction. If left in the mid position it passively turns the bow of the Bluebottle into the oncoming seas giving Bluebottles unprecedented seakeeping and survival capabilities.

The patented ‘keel winch’ is a cassette that displaces water ballast in the keel - so adding or changing a cassette does not interfere with the displacement or trim of the Bluebottle.

The cassette can be flat packed and shipped to anywhere in the world for customers to install, commission, and test their sensor or array on the winch before inserting it into the payload bay of a Bluebottle - being ready to go.