Blue Ops has partnered with US defense technology company Havoc to develop fleets of uncrewed surface vessels that can operate together.
Blue Ops, the maritime division of Puerto Rico-based firm Red Cat Holdings, has partnered with US defense technology company Havoc to develop fleets of uncrewed surface vessels that can operate together.
Under the agreement, Havoc will integrate its autonomy and command-and-control software into several Blue Ops platforms, beginning with the Variant 7.
The software is designed to share information among vessels and coordinate their movements and tasks.
Depending on the mission, a fleet could divide responsibilities among surveillance, area patrol, target tracking, and payload carriage.
“By integrating Havoc across the Blue Ops portfolio, we can give operators the ability to command and coordinate multiple autonomous vessels while preserving the flexibility to adapt as operational requirements evolve,” said Paul Lwin, CEO and Co-Founder of Havoc.
Blue Ops is developing its vessels around a Modular Open Systems Architecture, which uses standardized interfaces so that autonomy software, sensors, communications equipment, and mission payloads can be added or replaced without redesigning the entire vessel.
The companies also plan to establish integrated test fleets at Havoc’s headquarters in Rhode Island and Blue Ops’ facility in Florida.
The sites will be used for demonstrations, training, testing, and operational evaluations involving individual vessels and coordinated groups.
Blue Ops and Havoc will also jointly pursue US and allied defense contracts requiring autonomous maritime systems.
Variant 7 Vessel
Variant 7 is a long-range uncrewed surface vessel designed for surveillance, strike, force protection, and coastal security missions.
Its modular architecture allows operators to integrate different sensors, communications equipment, weapons, and other payloads without substantially redesigning the platform.
The vessel can also operate alongside Red Cat’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance drones, including launching and recovering aerial systems during maritime missions.
Earlier this month, Blue Ops integrated a Volvo Penta D4-320 diesel engine and DPI DuoProp system into the vessel as it prepared to expand production.
The propulsion package integrates with its autonomous navigation, remote control, mission planning, and payload management systems while maintaining the vessel’s modular design.
