Overview
- The Royal Australian Navy’s Maritime Autonomous Systems Unit, announced Tuesday, becomes the fleet’s command for uncrewed maritime systems under Project SEA 1200.
- The unit will develop, test, train, and field long‑range surveillance and strike drones to extend reach and lower risk to crews.
- Core platforms include the Ghost Shark extra‑large underwater drone, the Speartooth large underwater drone, and the Bluebottle surface drone that can patrol for long periods and relay data.
- MASU is built around an Uncrewed Systems Control Centre and a Deployable Vehicle Team that can run and recover vehicles from any suitable wharf worldwide.
- Funding and allied links are set, with A$1.7 billion for Ghost Shark and the first vehicle delivered in January 2026, and MASU named as Australia’s AUKUS Pillar Two focal point.