ZeroUSV has delivered its next-generation Oceanus class uncrewed surface vessel (USV). The first Oceanus17, which is 17 metres in length, has now been delivered following the completion of Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT).
"The completion of the first of class Oceanus17 USV marks a very significant milestone for ZeroUSV, and demonstrates the company’s ability to react to market demand and iterate proven designs and deliver proven world class USV technology at pace," Managing Director of ZeroUSV, Matthew Ratsey, said.
“Just over a year ago Zero USV was launching the first Oceanus12 class USV, and 15 months on the results of being able to iterate at pace are clear for all to see, from design through to construction in such a short timeframe demonstrates ZeroUSV ability to deliver at pace."
Constructed at Manor Marine’s shipyard in Portland, Oceanus17 has now arrived at ZeroUSV's headquarters at Turnchapel Wharf, Plymouth, where final fitout and payload integration will be undertaken prior to the official naming ceremony on the opening day of the British National Firework Championships, next month.
Oceanus17 is the latest and largest USV in ZeroUSV's growing Oceanus range, and builds on the engineering and operational experience of the Oceanus12 class.
The Oceanus17 has been designed for long-range, persistent, over-the-horizon operations across multiple domains including; defence, maritime security, offshore survey and scientific research.
ZeroUSV claims that the Oceanus17 has an operational endurance in excess of 50 days and a range of more than 5,000 nautical miles. It incorporates a payload capacity of 4,000Kg, and a 20ft ISO-compatible payload bay complete with 30kW dedicated payload power.
Oceanus17 is a fully robotic vessel, and incorporates level four autonomous navigation capability, delivered using MarineAI’s, GuardianAI autonomy suite. This autonomy suite includes the integration into the complex robotic systems used throughout the vessel.
"Oceanus17 significantly expands what operators can achieve at sea. Its combination of endurance, range, payload capacity, available payload power and ISO-compatible modularity creates a highly flexible platform that can be rapidly configured for defence and commercial missions, while providing the resilience and autonomy required for persistent, over-the-horizon operations," Ratsey highlighted.
Oceanus17 will now undergo final commissioning and mission preparation ahead of its naming ceremony and future operational deployment. The capability has been designed, engineered and built in the UK.