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ZeroUSV, Oshen, and MarineAI have launched a pioneering project supported by UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) to develop an autonomous sensing network for underwater operations.
The initiative focuses on maintaining contact with and ensuring the status of underwater uncrewed assets (XLUUVs) without relying on direct, high-bandwidth, or detectable communications. By deploying a constellation of Oshen’s robust C-Star vessels, the project creates a passive acoustic network capable of picking up covert signals from platforms such as the XV Excalibur. This system combines level 4+ autonomous deployment, passive acoustic sensing, and distributed communications to support critical national infrastructure monitoring, defence operations, and environmental research.
During the upcoming sea trials, ZeroUSV’s Oceanus12 will autonomously transport and launch the C-Star vessels over a designated area. MarineAI will integrate the launch system with its GuardianAI suite to ensure the platforms operate cooperatively. This method aims to provide a practical way to confirm the presence and progress of assets during missions involving intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and seabed mapping. The complexity of this multi-platform integration represents a shift toward a new operational concept for the Royal Navy and allied forces.
Matthew Ratsey, Co-Founder and Managing Director at ZeroUSV, said, “Underwater operations depend on knowing where assets are and whether they’re operating as intended, but direct communications aren’t always desirable or possible.
“This project lets us explore a different approach, using Oceanus12 to place a small constellation of surface vessels that can listen passively and provide assurance without compromising the mission. We’re pleased to be working with Oshen and MarineAI under UKDI support to test the concept at sea and understand how it could strengthen future UK and allied operations.”
The C-Star vessels are specifically designed for persistent, wide-area monitoring. Anahita Laverack, CEO at Oshen, said, “Wide area, persistent monitoring only works if the sensing platforms are robust, simple to deploy and able to reliably complete durations over multiple months. C-Stars were designed for exactly that kind of role. In this project we are looking at how a constellation of C-Stars, deployed by Oceanus12, can form a practical acoustic network that supports key underwater missions. We welcome the chance to develop and prove the approach with ZeroUSV and MarineAI under UKDI support.”
The technical integration is driven by the need for trusted, coordinated autonomy in challenging marine environments. Oliver Thompson, Director of Engineering at MarineAI, added, “Through GuardianAI™, we’ll be enabling the Oceanus12 to plan, deploy and operate cooperatively, UKDI’s backing gives us the opportunity to demonstrate how trusted autonomy can support resilient underwater operations in real conditions.”
The UKDI-funded programme, which follows a successful bid with the organization previously known as the Defence and Security Accelerator, will proceed through design and integration phases before concluding with sea trials to inform future underwater mission concepts.
