The Royal Australian Navy has established a unit dedicated to autonomous maritime systems, marking a step in its transition toward technology-driven operations.
The unit, named the Maritime Autonomous Systems Unit (MASU), will develop, integrate, and operationally deploy uncrewed platforms.
Its focus includes long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as well as strike capabilities.
MASU will operate a mix of autonomous systems, including the Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle, the Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessel, and the Speartooth large uncrewed underwater vehicle.
According to the service, the integration of these technologies is expected to expand operational reach, increase endurance at sea, and reduce personnel risk, while adding new asymmetric capabilities alongside existing crewed assets.
The unit includes both a control center and deployable teams, allowing operators to manage and launch systems from different locations, including forward or remote sites.
MASU will also serve as the navy’s central hub for developing doctrine, testing systems, and training personnel in uncrewed operations.
The effort is linked to Australia’s role in the AUKUS Pillar Two framework, a trilateral program with the US and the UK aimed at accelerating advanced capabilities such as AI, autonomy, cyber, and undersea systems.
Boosting Autonomous Capabilities
The establishment of MASU comes as Australia signals a significant increase in investment in uncrewed systems.
Earlier this month, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Canberra expects to spend between 12 and 15 billion Australian dollars ($8.5-$10.7 billion) over the next decade on autonomous capabilities, ahead of an upcoming update to the national defense strategy.
He noted that uncrewed systems are becoming central to modern warfare, while Australia’s geographic profile, marked by vast maritime approaches and long distances, is driving the need for a broad range of drone and autonomous capabilities across domains.
