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Ocius partners with BMT to provide real-time data collection and surveillance with Bluebottle USVs, enabling persistent remote operations and mine countermeasure capabilities.
Ocius Technology, in collaboration with BMT, is revolutionizing maritime operations through an innovative Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) model. This collaboration leverages the advanced capabilities of Ocius’ Bluebottle Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) to gather and deliver critical environmental and surveillance data from some of the most remote and challenging maritime environments.
The Bluebottle platform, designed to endure long-term, autonomous operations, has become a vital tool for a range of defence and commercial applications. These uncrewed vessels are effectively floating sensors, capable of operating persistently in areas that are difficult or dangerous for traditional manned vessels. This is particularly relevant for remote offshore operations, where reliable, real-time data can enhance both tactical decision-making and operational effectiveness.
The Bluebottle Advantage in Remote Operations
The remote and harsh conditions of Australia’s maritime regions, such as the Kimberly, present unique challenges for data collection. During the ROTO 7 Exercise, Ocius deployed its Bluebottle USVs to collect surveillance and environmental data hundreds of kilometres away from headquarters in Darwin. This demonstrated the platform’s ability to operate effectively at significant distances for months at a time.
In this exercise, the Bluebottle collected a wide range of data types. These sensor types can include Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD), Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), Fluorescent Dissolved Organic Matter (FDOM), backscatter, and other environmental variables. These metrics are critical for a range of applications, from oceanographic research to tactical military operations. The ability to collect this data in real time, from remote locations, makes the Bluebottle platform an invaluable asset for Australia’s maritime defence forces.
Mine Countermeasure Capability
A standout feature of the Ocius-BMT collaboration is the Bluebottle’s potential to enhance mine countermeasure (MCM) operations. The platform’s capability to persistently operate in forward-deployed positions, equipped with side-scan sonars, provides defence forces with an essential tool for identifying and neutralizing underwater threats. This capability allows for continuous monitoring and scanning, even in high-risk environments, reducing the need for manned vessels to operate in these dangerous areas.
By deploying Bluebottles equipped with advanced sonar systems, the Ocius-BMT partnership enables defence forces to proactively detect and mitigate the threat of naval mines. This persistence is a key differentiator—while traditional manned platforms must retreat to safety or refuel, Bluebottle USVs can remain on station for extended periods, providing constant data without interruption.
A Scalable, Adaptable Solution
The modularity of the Bluebottle platform allows it to be customized with a variety of sensors, depending on the mission requirements. From oceanographic data collection to acoustic monitoring for submarine detection, the platform is designed to be as versatile as it is reliable. This adaptability is critical for modern defence forces, who must respond to rapidly changing operational environments.
Ocius and BMT are working together to ensure that this capability is scalable, enabling both organizations to meet the growing demand for persistent maritime surveillance and data collection. The DaaS model allows defence and commercial operators to access critical information in real time, without the need to maintain and operate their own vessels. This not only reduces operational costs but also allows decision-makers to focus on interpreting data and responding to threats, rather than managing complex hardware systems.
The Future of Maritime Operations
Ocius and BMT’s collaboration is a significant step forward in the future of maritime operations. By leveraging the autonomous and persistent capabilities of the Bluebottle platform, they are enabling a new era of remote, data-driven maritime decision-making. Whether it’s for environmental monitoring, tactical military operations, or mine countermeasure missions, the ability to collect and analyze data in real time from remote locations is transforming how defence forces and commercial entities approach maritime challenges.
The ROTO 7 Exercise was a prime example of the platform’s ability to operate in Australia’s vast and remote maritime regions. With increasing global interest in unmanned maritime systems, the Ocius-BMT collaboration stands as a leading example of how innovative technology can enhance the security and efficiency of offshore operations.
As the demand for remote, persistent data collection grows, Ocius and BMT are well-positioned to lead the charge, offering cutting-edge solutions that provide both tactical and strategic advantages in complex maritime environments.
