Thales Australia has successfully integrated its advanced BlueSentry thin-line towed sonar array into Saildrone’s Surveyor-class uncrewed surface vehicle (USV), marking a significant milestone in maritime surveillance technology. During an extensive 26-day mission off the Californian coast, this innovative USV has demonstrated its capabilities by providing continuous monitoring in high-traffic maritime zones, successfully detecting and tracking a variety of targets, including surface vessels, submarines, and uncrewed underwater vehicles.
Thales Australia expressed confidence in the new system, stating, “Saildrone and Thales Australia are ready to deploy these systems at scale, creating a network of autonomous, self-sustaining surveillance assets to enhance national security.” This collaboration paves the way for a new era in maritime security, utilizing cutting-edge technology for real-time situational awareness.
The Surveyor-class USV is a long-range, autonomous platform that harnesses renewable energy, operating through both wind and solar power. It is equipped with sophisticated communication technologies and high-performance sensors, enabling round-the-clock surveillance capabilities. Complementing this system is Thales’ BlueSentry, a sonar payload specifically designed to bolster anti-submarine warfare and maritime domain awareness. The BlueSentry system integrates innovative acoustic sensor technology, which supports both active and passive sonar applications, along with advanced signal processing features to enhance operational effectiveness.
This demonstration project, funded by the US Office of Naval Research, plays a pivotal role in advancing the objectives of the AUKUS program—an important trilateral defense and security partnership involving Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The AUKUS initiative seeks to foster peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, prioritizing the development of new technologies and improved interoperability among the armed forces of the three nations.
Central to the AUKUS strategy are key focus areas, including Pillar 1, which aims to assist Australia in acquiring its inaugural fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Pillar 2 is concentrated on accelerating the creation of advanced technologies that enhance collaboration among the partners’ defense forces, with emphasis on areas such as autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, hypersonic missiles, and quantum technologies. This partnership is set to redefine defense capabilities while ensuring regional security in an increasingly complex global landscape.
