ZeroUSV has demonstrated an autonomous deployment of two surface drones from an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) during a test, claiming a “world’s first” achievement in maritime autonomy.
Held in Plymouth, the company used its Oceanus12 autonomous platform during a coordinated mission with partner firm Oshen, which provided its smaller C-Star boats.
The Oceanus12 host USV utilized an autonomy suite to plan and execute missions with minimal guidance from human personnel.
While current trials are limited to launch and recovery tasks, the Oceanus12 platform is being scaled to deploy four surface drones simultaneously.
ZeroUSV stated it is also planning a remote launch and recovery of an uncrewed underwater vehicle with the Oceanus12 USV eventually.
“For defense and security customers, this [achievement] points to a future where distributed autonomous systems can be deployed rapidly, at scale, and with reduced risk to personnel,” the company stated on social media.
‘The Lady of the Lake’
The Oceanus12 can carry a payload weighing 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) fitted within a container 4 meters (13 feet) long and 2.2 meters (7 feet) wide.
It can travel as fast as 12 knots (22 kilometers/14 miles per hour) and for up to 3,600 nautical miles (4,142 miles/6,667 kilometers).
ZeroUSV calls the autonomous platform “The Lady of the Lake,” adding that it was designed based on the UK’s vision for a hybrid crewed-uncrewed navy fleet.
