Collaboration on autonomous underwater sensing supported by UK Defence Innovation
A pioneering initiative to create a network of ocean robots designed to support submersible fleet operations has moved into its next phase. The project began this month after securing funding from UK Defence Innovation, previously known as the Defence and Security Accelerator. The collaboration brings together ZeroUSV, Oshen and MarineAI.
As large uncrewed underwater vehicles are expected to take on a growing role within future naval fleets, maintaining awareness of their position and operational status is becoming a central requirement. The challenge lies in achieving this without relying on continuous high-bandwidth communications that are detectable and potentially vulnerable.
By deploying a constellation of Oshen’s robust C-Star vessels, the project creates a 'passive acoustic network' capable of picking up covert signals from platforms like the XV Excalibur.
Network of acoustic sensing
The solution channels Level 4+ autonomous deployment, passive acoustic sensing and distributed communications into a cohesive system, to deliver a novel and scalable means to support and enhance submersible operations such as critical national infrastructure monitoring, defence operations and environmental monitoring.
During the trials, ZeroUSV’s Oceanus12 will autonomously transport and launch a constellation of Oshen 'C-Stars' over an area of sea, to form a network of acoustic sensing that can pick up covert signals from XV Excalibur. MarineAI’s involvement will ensure the C-Star launch system is integrated with the GuardianAI suite onboard the Oceanus12.
The aim is to demonstrate a practical method for confirming asset presence and progress during underwater missions, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, seabed mapping and the monitoring of subsea infrastructure.
The complexity of multi-platform integration and co-ordinated autonomy goes beyond incremental improvement, proposing a new operational concept to support underwater operations for the Royal Navy and allied forces.
National critical infrastructure sites
UK and allied defence forces utilize advanced submersible and seabed assets, such as XV Excalibur, to perform numerous key tasks, including persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) of national critical infrastructure sites such as key subsea cables or pipelines, future military date gathering (FMDG) campaigns to map key areas of seabed, as well as to perform anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions.
Matthew Ratsey, cofounder and managing director at ZeroUSV, said: “Underwater operations depend on knowing where assets are and whether they’re operating as intended, but direct communications aren’t always desirable or possible."
“This project lets us explore a different approach, using Oceanus12 to place a small constellation of surface vessels that can listen passively and provide assurance without compromising the mission. We’re pleased to be working with Oshen and MarineAI under UKDI support to test the concept at sea and understand how it could strengthen future UK and allied operations.”
Key underwater missions
Anahita Laverack, CEO at Oshen, said: “Wide-area, persistent monitoring only works if the sensing platforms are robust, simple to deploy and able to reliably complete durations over multiple months. C-Stars were designed for exactly that kind of role. In this project we are looking at how a constellation of C-Stars, deployed by Oceanus12, can form a practical acoustic network that supports key underwater missions. We welcome the chance to develop and prove the approach with ZeroUSV and MarineAI under UKDI support.”
Oliver Thompson, director of engineering at MarineAI, said: “Through GuardianAI, we’ll be enabling the Oceanus12 to plan, deploy and operate cooperatively, UKDI’s backing gives us the opportunity to demonstrate how trusted autonomy can support resilient underwater operations in real conditions.”
The UKDI-funded programme will run through an initial design, integration and sea-trial phase, with the findings expected to inform future concepts for UK and allied underwater missions.
