Ocius to test Bluebottle USV for Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

Ocius Technology's Bluebottle USV. (Ocius Technology )

Sydney-headquartered Ocius Technology is collaborating with Tokyo-based Seisgadget to verify the performance of its Bluebottle unmanned surface vehicle (USV) for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Under a contract that commenced in August, the two marine robotics technology companies will conduct in-water testing and acceptance activities in Australia to evaluate Bluebottle's persistent surveillance capabilities for the JMSDF, Ocius said on 4 November.

The vessels for this verification programme will be manufactured at an Ocius facility in Sydney.

Powered by renewable energy sources – including solar, wind, and wave energy – Bluebottle is a low-signature platform capable of long-endurance operations for monitoring both surface and subsurface maritime environments.

The performance verification programme builds on the JMSDF's growing interest in the Bluebottle platform in recent years.

The JMSDF likely observed Bluebottle operations during the Maritime Big Play (MBP) trials held in October 2024 in Jervis Bay, Australia. Conducted by the militaries of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States under their AUKUS partnership's Pillar 2 efforts, the trials focused on unmanned maritime systems and associated technologies.

The JMSDF participated as an observer. During the trials, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) deployed Bluebottle equipped with cameras and other sensors to conduct surveillance.

Fifteen Bluebottles are in service with the RAN. Ocius is scheduled to deliver a further 40 Bluebottles to the RAN by the end of 2031, under an AUD176 million (USD123 million) contract announced in March.

According to Ocius, Japan's then defence minister, Gen Nakatani, visited the company's stand and met with officials during the DSEI Japan exhibition in Chiba in May 2025.