Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)
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ZeroUSV has achieved a maritime milestone by successfully demonstrating the autonomous deployment of multiple surface drones from its 12-meter Oceanus12 Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) during trials in Plymouth, UK.
The demonstration, conducted as part of an ongoing program backed by UK Defence Innovation, involved Oceanus12 deploying two lightweight, sail- and solar-powered Oshen C-Star surface drones as part of a coordinated mission.
Led by ZeroUSV alongside Oshen and MarineAI, the initiative combines the Oceanus12 platform, C-Star drones, and MarineAI’s Guardian autonomy software to demonstrate an integrated, multiplatform autonomous capability for defense and security applications.
During the trials, the C-Star vehicles were configured to collect high-quality acoustic data. The vehicles can also carry a broad range of sensors supporting environmental monitoring, defense operations, and critical underwater infrastructure monitoring.
MarineAI’s Guardian autonomy suite provides the navigational autonomy software that enables autonomous platforms to plan, coordinate, and execute complex missions with minimal operator input. It can also integrate multiple payloads for autonomous deployment and the execution of tactical missions.
Beyond serving as a launch platform, Oceanus12 allows operators to verify the location, status, and performance of deployed assets in environments where traditional communications may be unavailable, unreliable, or deliberately denied.
This capability provides greater mission assurance during complex autonomous operations while reducing the need for personnel to work in hazardous maritime environments and freeing crewed platforms for dedicated assignments.
Matthew Ratsey, Managing Director of ZeroUSV, said, “This is a significant milestone, not only for ZeroUSV, but for the take up and use of Oceanus USV in theatre. Oceanus12 has been designed as a highly flexible autonomous platform capable of supporting a wide range of mission requirements, and this demonstration proves its ability to rapidly deploy autonomous systems while maintaining a low operational footprint.
“Autonomous operations are becoming increasingly complex, requiring multiple systems to work together seamlessly. Oceanus12 enables operators to deploy autonomous assets where they are needed, while also providing greater confidence in their location, status and performance in situations where traditional communications may not be available. Demonstrating the launching of maritime robots is another important step towards delivering truly scalable autonomous capability for defence and security customers. It shows how a single autonomous platform can support multiple operational requirements while reducing risk to personnel and increasing operational flexibility.”
Anahita Laverack, CEO of Oshen, commented, “This demonstration represents an important step towards a future where autonomous systems work together to undertake missions that would otherwise expose people to unnecessary risk. Having robots launch robots means we can safely, and rapidly, deploy sensing capabilities into tactile locations at short notice, without putting crews in harm’s way.
“That not only improves safety, but also expands our ability to collect valuable maritime and underwater data from places that have traditionally been difficult or dangerous to access. Successfully launching two C-Star vehicles is an exciting milestone, but this is the tip of the iceberg. We’re now looking forward to demonstrating the deployment of 100’s of autonomous systems operating together.”
Oliver Thompson, Technical Director of MarineAI, added, “This demonstration shows how maritime autonomy is evolving beyond individual autonomous platforms to coordinated autonomous teams. Guardian provides the decision-making framework that allows multiple autonomous systems to work together safely and intelligently, enabling Oceanus12 and the C-Star vehicles to operate as a single coordinated mission capability rather than as separate assets.
“Bringing together multiple autonomous surface systems creates a much more capable operational solution. It enables complex missions to be carried out with minimal operator intervention, extends operational reach and helps keep people out of harm’s way, particularly in environments that are hazardous, remote or where communications are constrained.”
The next phase of the program will see Oceanus12 autonomously deploy four C-Star vehicles simultaneously, demonstrating how distributed autonomous systems can operate together at greater scale.
