C2 Robotics has announced the first export sales of its Speartooth Large Uncrewed Underwater Vessel (LUUV). The company however, cannot reveal its customers.
"Our latest customer is an organisation that is keen to get this capability into the hands of their people as soon as possible to see what autonomous systems can bring to undersea operations. We’ve always argued that the best way to develop concepts of operations for autonomous systems is to actually use them. We’re very happy to have found a customer who shares that view," C2 Robotics’ Chief Technology Officer, Tom Loveard, stated.
After real-world testing and participation in domestic and international exercises of Speartooth, C2 Robotics has achieved its first international sales of its LUUV.
"We find that potential customers are extremely impressed that Speartooth is ready to go “right out of the box.” That allows operators to focus on the mission and the payloads rather than the platform itself," Loveard explained.
According to the company, Speartooth can be transported in standard shipping containers and be launched from a boat ramp. It has been designed so that production and operations can be sustained in time of conflict and crisis when supply chains will be disrupted.
"The reception we are getting from international militaries is extremely positive. Speartooth’s combination of range, stealth, payload and above all affordability offers something different from any other system on the market and customers are responding to that," Loveard highlighted.
Essentially an underwater electric vehicle, it has employed readily available commercial components allowing it to be manufactured in existing industrial facilities.
The export contract will involve Speartooth vessels which will be manufactured in Australia using local components as far as possible.
Speartooth’s development has been funded by and conducted in close collaboration with the Australian Department of Defence. It has completed a milestone activity in the multi-national Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in Queensland earlier this year and will participate in the Maritime Big Play autonomous exercise at Jervis Bay in Australia later this year.