The 26th of November was a landmark day for Ocius, as the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) christened their first grey Bluebottles to enhance their maritime operations. This significant event underscores the growing trust in Ocius' innovative technology and the strategic role it plays in safeguarding the vast ocean expanses both nations oversee.
These vessels are milestones in several ways:
- BB712: A Registered RAN Vessel. BB712 is the first Bluebottle to be designated as a Royal Australian Navy Registered Vessel. Achieving this status highlights the strong collaboration between Ocius and the Navy, a partnership cultivated since the inaugural Autonomous Warrior exercise in 2018. 712 is the 12th vessel to be delivered under the current RAN contract for 15.
- BB TAHI: First of two for RNZN. BB TAHI is the first of two Bluebottles purchased by the RNZN following a successful trial lease last year. This purchase signifies a shared commitment by Australia and New Zealand to maintain maritime security across the vast and resource-intensive regions they patrol.
- BETH 2.0 Class: These vessels are the first of Ocius’ BETH 2.0 class, boasting a 6% increase in size while maintaining their hallmark low logistics advantage. Designed for operational flexibility, these Bluebottles fit into standard 40-foot shipping containers, are towable by SUVs, and can launch from remote locations without cranes or support boats.
- Scalability and Precision: Ocius’ new BETH 2.0 mold enables scalable production, capable of delivering up to 300 Bluebottles at a rate of one every two weeks. Production capacity can be doubled by adding another mold, ensuring readiness to meet growing demand.
With a growing total ‘odometer’ reading for Bluebottles of 74,000 nautical miles, the equivalent of circling the equator 3.5 times, Bluebottles are continuously collecting critical data to refine software, machine learning, and AI capabilities. This iterative approach allows Ocius and the RAN to evolve this technology rapidly and in an agile way.
Ocius’ contributions align closely with Australia’s Defence Strategic Review and Integrated Investment Plan. By providing high-end strategic ISR feeds in real time, Bluebottles enable larger naval assets to focus on critical missions, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
As Ocius prepares to move into new facilities in January 2025 to expand production throughput, the company is also increasing its engineering capacity to meet customer-driven R&D requirements. This effort ensures that Ocius remains at the forefront of addressing emerging challenges in its geostrategic region, which spans the Pacific, Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, and the Australian Antarctic Division.
Ocius’ success is not only a testament to its technological innovation but also a reflection of its value to Australian taxpayers. As a wholly Australian-owned SME, Ocius supports local manufacturing, research at UNSW, STEM industries, and export opportunities. Its technology strengthens alliances within AUKUS and Five Eyes coalitions while delivering unmatched return on investment for Defence and civil agencies alike.
For more information visit www.ocius.com.au.