The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has formally named its new department tasked with operating its uncrewed systems and integrating them into the wider force.
The Maritime Autonomous Systems Unit (MASU) will operate a variety of platforms with complementary capabilities, including Anduril’s Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XLUUV), Ocius’ Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and C2 Robotics’ Speartooth large uncrewed underwater vehicle (LUUV).
Training, testing, evaluation and doctrine development will all be core tasks of the new MASU unit going forward.
The creation and official naming of the MASU unit follow the announcement of Anduril as the RAN’s selected partner for its XLUUV programme in September 2025 and confirmation in March this year that Australia was boosting its Bluebottle USV fleet to 55 boats.
As per an RAN press statement: “MASU has been created through Project SEA 1200 to accelerate the development, integration and operational employment of maritime autonomous systems, optimised for persistent, long‑range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and strike missions.”
The MASU unit also features a portable Uncrewed Systems Control Centre and Deployable Vehicle Team which means it can control its uncrewed systems “from any wharf location anywhere in the world.”
MASU has also been given its own motto: “We Wait, We Strike.” The RAN said its choice “reflects the strategic impact of maritime uncrewed systems through multifaceted roles, including extended endurance and kinetic strike effect.”
MASU Commander Chris Forward commented: “Announcing MASU’s name gives the team a formal sense of identity as we work to rapidly introduce this capability into the fleet.”
And RAN Commander Submarines Commodore Dan Sutherland said the new unit would provide a range of asymmetric options to complement Defence Australia’s existing crewed force, extending the Navy’s reach, persistence and resilience.
- You can read more details on the Royal Australian Navy website