ZeroUSV has reached another major milestone with the delivery of 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).
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 proven engineering and operational experience of the highly successful 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.
With a world class leading level of operational endurance in excess of 50 days and a range of more than 5,000 nautical miles, the Oceanus17 incorporates a payload capacity of 4,000Kg, and a 20ft ISO-compatible payload bay complete with 30kW dedicated payload power.
The integration flexibility for multiple payloads allows operators to rapid install and configure complex payload systems for the specific mission profile required, and the ability to re-role the vessel in a very short period.
Oceanus17 is a fully robotic vessel, and incorporates level four autonomous navigation capability, delivered using MarineAI’s, GuardianAI autonomy suite. This proven autonomy suite includes the integration into the complex robotic systems used throughout the vessel.
The USV’s dual redundant system architecture eliminates the risk of single points of failure, and provides the necessary resilience required for over the horizon persistent operations in the harshest and most demanding of maritime environments.
Matthew Ratsey, Managing Director of ZeroUSV, said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
Oceanus17 will now undergo final commissioning and mission preparation ahead of its naming ceremony and future operational deployment.
Designed, engineered and built in the UK, Oceanus17 further strengthens the company’s Oceanus portfolio, while reinforcing Plymouth’s position as the National centre for maritime autonomy and sovereign maritime innovation.
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