- ZeroUSV announce a “world-first” as Oceanus12 platform deploys two smaller C-Star USVs
- The milestone took place during a UK Defence Innovation trial in Plymouth
- But doubling down on the launch and recovery capability may pigeon-hole the system in navy budgets
British maritime technology supplier, ZeroUSV, claim a “world-first” by using its Oceanus12 autonomous surface vessel to deploy two smaller uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) in a coordinated mission.
The demonstration took place in Plymouth, where UK Defence Innovation, an agency tasked with accelerating dual-use technology, evaluated the payload flexibility of the 12-metre-long, hybrid-powered, autonomous boat which hosted two smaller C-Star boats built by the partner company, Oshen.
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ZeroUSV use MarineAI’s Guardian autonomy suite on Oceanus12, which provides the navigational software needed to plan, coordinate and execute tactical missions with minimal operator input.
So far, UK trials involving the Oceanus class are limited to launch and recovery tasks.
The next phase of this programme, for example, will see Oceanus12 deploy four C-Stars at the same time. This aligns with Oshen’s recent pledge to triple production of its sail- and solar-powered boats beyond the 15 units it currently builds every six weeks.
C-Stars are expendable systems that provide a sub-surface sensing layer at sea.
But it is understood that Oceanus12 will also be tested for the launching and recovering of an uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) remotely.
More than just a launch vehicle?
Managing director for ZeroUSV, Matthew Ratsey, points to the additional command and control responsibility that Oceanus12 assumes even after deploying capabilities:
“Oceanus12 enables operators to deploy autonomous assets where they are needed, while also providing greater confidence in their location, status and performance in situations where traditional communications may not be available.”
This added value seems to downplay any concerns that the platform is solely a launch and recovery vehicle. The press release continued this rationale, noting that the Oceanus vessel remains an “active participant” in autonomous mission execution.
If this extended utility is compelling, it could open up the Oceanus class to wider navy budgets. The Royal Navy currently splits its uncrewed systems requirements into projects with distinct responsibilities, such as BEEHIVE or PANTHEON.
Scale and response
Oceanus12 has a payload capacity of 1,000kg within 4.0 x 2.2 metres space. But the system’s speed can only reach 12 knots at a sprint, or six knots for a range of up to 3,600 nautical miles.
These specifications may limit the mothership to a nation’s exclusive economic zone in order to ensure responsiveness. This is not necessarily a drawback, however, since Northern European countries are experiencing increased Russian presence in their waters.
Still, Oceanus is a USV family with larger variants, such as the latest Oceanus17, which can carry 4,000kg payload and operate +5,000nm. In fact, the Royal Navy has already contracted ZeroUSV to explore the capabilities of Oceanus17. However, these are exploratory trials and do not indicate a specific intent for future use.
On 18 August 2026, ZeroUSV indicated its focus on the UK’s hybrid navy requirement, naming Oceanus17 “The Lady of the Lake,” drawn from the Arthurian tradition established by MSubs’ delivery of HMS Excalibur to the Royal Navy last year.
