Royal Australian Navy
About
About Royal Australian Navy
The Navy uses robotic and autonomous systems to extend mine countermeasures, hydrographic survey, undersea surveillance and maritime-domain awareness. Uncrewed surface and underwater vehicles can carry sonar or other sensors into hazardous areas while crews remain aboard supporting vessels or ashore.
Its Maritime Deployable Robotic and Autonomous Systems Experimentation Unit evaluates platforms, payloads, command systems and operating concepts with industry and research partners. The Navy’s RAS-AI campaign treats autonomy as a system-of-systems capability covering acquisition, testing, doctrine, data, communications and continuing technology updates.
Operations
Orders & commitments
- Order / commitment
2026-03-11 - Australia contracted 40 additional Bluebottle USVs under a A$176 million investment, targeting a Royal Australian Navy operational fleet of 55. - contracted Royal Australian Navy Bluebottle fleet
Source - Order / commitment
2025-09-10 - Australia committed A$1.7 billion over five years to develop and manufacture Ghost Shark autonomous undersea vehicles for the Royal Australian Navy. - Ghost Shark XL-AUV fleet program
Source
Deployments
- Operating use
2026-07-22 - Royal Australian Navy 822X Squadron flew the A-61 Integrator for the first time, beginning the squadron’s airworthy operation of the platform. - 822X Squadron A-61 Integrator introduction
Source
Supply
Supply chain relationships
- PteroDynamics
Inbound - Equipment - PteroDynamics supplies P4 Transwing VTOL aircraft, training and support for Royal Australian Navy distributed maritime logistics
Source - Red Cat
Inbound - Oem Builders - Red Cat received an order for 12 Edge 130 Blue systems for the Royal Australian Navy through Criterion Solutions
Source - Anduril Industries
Inbound - robotic motion components - RAN awarded Anduril a A$1.7bn Program of Record to deliver a Ghost Shark XL-AUV fleet; production began
Source
Team
- Matthew Buckley - Chief of Navy - As Chief of Navy, he leads fleet recapitalization, workforce development, partnerships and the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines, Hunter-class frigates and autonomous…
Timeline
Events
- 2026-07-22 - Demonstration - Navy 822X Squadron completes first A-61 Integrator flight
The A-61 became the fourth uncrewed aerial platform operated by 822X Squadron since its 2018 commissioning. Army experience, equipment and procedures supported Navy's transition to the platform in less than two months. The system adds tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability for future maritime operations.
Source - 2026-05-26 - Partnership - PteroDynamics to supply Transwing VTOL UAS to Royal Australian Navy
PteroDynamics will deliver P4 Transwing UAS aircraft, plus training and support, with the option for RAN to purchase larger P5 Transwing UAS systems for delivery starting in 2027. The contract extends PteroDynamics’ strategic relationship with RAN and is the company’s first international defence sale of Transwing VTOL UAS aircraft.
Source - 2026-03-11 - Contract Award - Royal Australian Navy fleet to expand to 55 Bluebottle USVs
The contract adds 40 Australian-designed and built Bluebottle USVs to Navy's existing fleet. The expanded 55-vessel fleet is intended for persistent surface and subsurface surveillance across Australia's maritime approaches. Ocius will scale production through its Sydney facility and a second site in the NSW Hunter region.
Source - 2025-09-10 - Contract Award - Royal Australian Navy commits A$1.7B to Ghost Shark XL-AUV fleet
Australia committed A$1.7 billion over five years to develop and manufacture Ghost Shark autonomous undersea vehicles for the Royal Australian Navy. The contract with Anduril Australia covers domestic development and manufacturing of Ghost Shark. Officials said dozens of Ghost Shark XL-AUVs would be built, with first production service expected in early 2026.
Source - 2024-10-28 - Contract Award - Red Cat supplies 12 Edge 130 Blue systems to Royal Australian Navy
The order gives Red Cat a named naval customer and system quantity. Criterion Solutions was named as an Australian channel counterparty.
Source
Relations
Relationships
- Red Cat
Commercial Order - Red Cat agreed to supply 12 Edge 130 Blue systems to the Royal Australian Navy.
- PteroDynamics
Partnership Counterparty - The Royal Australian Navy ordered PteroDynamics P4 Transwing VTOL aircraft, training and support for distributed maritime logistics.
Commercial
- Royal Australian Navy fleet to expand to 55 Bluebottle USVs
2026-03-11 · Order / contract · Australia awarded A$176 million for 40 additional Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels, expanding Navy's targeted fleet to 55.
Source - Royal Australian Navy commits A$1.7B to Ghost Shark XL-AUV fleet
2025-09-10 · Order / contract · Australia committed A$1.7 billion over five years to develop and manufacture Ghost Shark autonomous undersea vehicles for the Royal Australian Navy.
Source - Red Cat supplies 12 Edge 130 Blue systems to Royal Australian Navy
2024-10-28 · Order / contract · Red Cat agreed to supply 12 FlightWave Edge 130 Blue systems to the Royal Australian Navy.
Source