The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has established the Maritime Autonomous Systems Unit (MASU), aiming to advance the adoption and operational use of uncrewed maritime technologies.
The unit was created under Project SEA 1200 and operates with the motto ‘We Wait, We Strike’.
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It is designed to develop, integrate, and deploy maritime autonomous systems tailored for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike roles across extended distances.
According to a statement by Australia’s Department of Defence, the unit will control and operate a variety of systems, including the Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XL-UUV), the Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessel (USV), and the Speartooth large uncrewed underwater vehicle (LUUV).
These platforms support the Navy’s focus on persistent maritime operations and increased operational range.
The unit consists of the Uncrewed Systems Control Centre and the Deployable Vehicle Team, which together enable worldwide deployment and control of these autonomous systems from any suitable wharf location.
MASU officer in charge, Commander Chris Forward said: “Announcing MASU’s name gives the team a formal sense of identity as we work to rapidly introduce this capability into the Fleet.”
MASU will function as a focal point within the RAN for developing doctrine, conducting experimentation, and overseeing training, as well as testing and evaluating maritime uncrewed systems. It is expected to play a key part in Australia’s contribution to AUKUS Pillar Two objectives.
Collaboration with Defence industry, research institutions, and international partners will form a part of MASU’s work in advancing new technologies and integrating them into naval operations.
Department of Defence said: “By complementing crewed platforms, MASU will extend the Royal Australian Navy’s reach, persistence and resilience while reducing risk to sailors – positioning Navy to meet the demands of the future battlespace.”
During a television with Sky News Newsday, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy confirmed that Australia is set to significantly expand its investment in uncrewed system.
Conroy said planned spending will rise from A$10bn to as much as A$15bn over the decade, as Australia builds on its domestic production of advanced autonomous capabilities such as the Ghost Shark XL-UUV, which he said is already being produced locally.
Last September, the Australian Government allocated A$1.7bn ($1.12bn) to procure a new fleet of extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles for the Royal Australian Navy.
