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Australian uncrewed vessel developer Ocius Technology has selected ThayerMahan and Thales Australia to supply thin-line acoustic arrays for its growing Bluebottle fleet, expanding the platform’s ability to conduct persistent surface and subsurface surveillance.
Ocius Technology has signed agreements with US defence technology company ThayerMahan and Thales Australia to integrate advanced acoustic sensing systems across its Australian-made Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessel (USV) fleet.
The systems will support persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), including the Royal Australian Navy’s SEA1200 undersea warfare program and Ocius’ ongoing maritime surveillance operations with Maritime Border Command.
Under SEA1200, Ocius has awarded ThayerMahan a contract for 40 Outpost acoustic intelligence payloads and TransparenSea processing software. The systems will enable distributed detection, localisation, and tracking of undersea contacts, with data delivered to operators and commanders.
The arrangement represents a practical application of AUKUS Pillar II, combining Australian autonomous maritime technology with US acoustic sensing and processing capabilities.
Ocius chief executive and founder Robert Dane said extensive sea trials and operational testing had been used to evaluate competing acoustic technologies before the companies were selected. “Different missions need different solutions. The Bluebottle is designed as an adaptable payload delivery platform,” he said.
Dane added, “Different missions need different solutions. The Bluebottle is designed as an adaptable payload delivery platform. By integrating complementary acoustic systems from leading Australian and United States technology providers, we can provide customers with the most effective technology suite for their operational needs. These agreements reflect the strength of the systems developed by ThayerMahan and Thales for persistent uncrewed maritime operations.”
For Maritime Border Command operations to Australia’s north, Ocius has selected Thales Australia’s locally manufactured BlueSentry thin-line arrays and associated acoustic processing technology. These systems will be deployed across the Bluebottle fleet to support long-endurance surveillance of Australia’s maritime approaches and offshore interests.
The Bluebottle’s modular payload architecture allows different acoustic systems to be integrated according to individual mission requirements. The vessels are manufactured and fitted with their payloads at Ocius’ Sydney production facility.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the integration would further strengthen Australia’s maritime surveillance capability while supporting sovereign manufacturing and Australian jobs. “This is Aussie innovation in action ... The Ocius Bluebottle is a formidable asset. It’s already providing near persistent, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for Australia, having even remained on station as cyclones rolled through. And now, thanks to this new partnership, this capability will provide enhanced protection of Australia’s vast maritime domain,” he said.
Thales Australia’s BlueSentry arrays draw on technology developed for the Collins Class submarine fleet, while ThayerMahan’s Outpost system brings autonomous acoustic surveillance and data processing to an uncrewed platform.
Ocius said the combination of autonomous operation, renewable-powered endurance and advanced acoustic sensing provides a scalable approach to maintaining persistent awareness across Australia’s vast maritime domain.
The latest contracts mark a significant expansion of Bluebottle’s role from surface surveillance towards persistent undersea warfare support, highlighting the growing potential of low-cost, long-endurance autonomous systems to complement crewed naval and surveillance assets.
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