C2 Robotics announced the first export sales of its Speartooth Large Uncrewed Underwater Vessel (LUUV). Speartooth is designed to generate force-mass in the maritime domain as affordably as possible. Its purpose is to deliver military payloads over strategically relevant ranges at scale and with a high degree of stealth, reliability and autonomy. Speartooth has also been designed to be payload agnostic so that it can rapidly integrate whatever systems its operators require.
After extensive real-world testing and successful participation in domestic and international exercises, Speartooth is now making its mark on the global stage with C2 Robotics achieving its first international sales of its LUUV.
The company can’t reveal its customers, however C2 Robotics’ Chief Technology Officer Dr Tom Loveard said “Our latest customer is an organisation that is keen to get this capability into the hands of their people as soon as possible to see what autonomous systems can bring to undersea operations. We’ve always argued that the best way to develop concepts of operations for autonomous systems is to actually use them. We’re very happy to have found a customer who shares that view.”
With the support of the Australian Department of Defence, C2 Robotics has demonstrated Speartooth to potential customers at events both in Australia and abroad. The system’s maturity and ease of operation have been a big selling point. Dr Loveard explained, “We find that potential customers are extremely impressed that Speartooth is ready to go right out of the box. That allows operators to focus on the mission and the payloads rather than the platform itself.”
Speartooth’s range allows it to access the area of operations independently, freeing up scarce crewed vessels for other tasks. It can be transported in standard shipping containers and be launched from a boat ramp. This minimises both the workforce and infrastructure needed to operate it, reducing its operating signature while complicating the adversary’s ISR challenge.
Dr Loveard said, “The reception we are getting from international militaries is extremely positive. Speartooth’s combination of range, stealth, payload and above all affordability offers something different from any other system on the market and customers are responding to that.”
Speartooth has been designed so that production and operations can be sustained in time of conflict and crisis when supply chains will be disrupted. Essentially an underwater electric vehicle, it employs readily available commercial components allowing it to be manufactured in existing industrial facilities. This means production can be quickly established and be scaled up rapidly in time of conflict.
The export contract involves Speartooth vessels that will be manufactured in Australia using local components as far as possible. Speartooth’s development has been funded by and conducted in close collaboration with the Australian Department of Defence. It successfully completed a key milestone activity in the multi-national Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2025 in Queensland earlier this year and will participate in the Maritime Big Play autonomous exercise at Jervis Bay in Australia later this year.
Curtin University partners with maritime company Greenroom Robotics
Curtin University has announced a new strategic partnership with Australia’s leading maritime autonomy company Greenroom Robotics, which will advance the nation’s capabilities in autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and innovation.
The collaboration will focus on establishing the necessary framework to see Australia become a leader in developing and implementing crucial new technologies, including developing workforce skills, accelerating research and development projects and building strategic industry partnerships across key sectors such as space, energy, mining, agriculture, and maritime.
Greenroom Robotics specialises in world-leading and cutting-edge maritime autonomy and situational awareness software. Greenroom’s AI software is already transforming vessels large and small with partners across AUKUS nations such as Austal, Royal Australian Navy, EGS Survey, UK-based SubSea Craft and has successfully been trialled by the US Department of Defense.
Director of Curtin’s National Resilience and Security Program Office Gary Hale said the partnership highlights Curtin’s commitment to delivering real-world impact. “Curtin University has long connected industry and government with world-leading research to make a difference,” Hale said. “By combining Curtin’s leading research expertise with Greenroom’s advanced robotics and autonomy capabilities, this partnership aims to deliver best in class solutions to enhance Australia’s resilience and support national priorities. This collaboration will help build a highly skilled talent pipeline, accelerate the adoption of next-generation autonomous systems and deliver innovation that strengthens Australia as a nation.”
Greenroom Robotics Chief Operations Officer and Co-Founder Harry Hubbert said the relationship with Curtin capitalised on each organisation’s strengths. “We are thrilled to contribute our expertise in cutting-edge maritime AI and autonomy software to Curtin University’s collaborative ecosystem,” Hubbert said. “Our proven software solutions are already transforming maritime autonomy and we are excited to access a broader partner base and make a real difference to safe, clean and protected oceans.”
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Raises the question why has DOD not ordered these, when they’ve ordered the GhostShark?
And are they making Ghostshark’s deployable sensors and weapons to ensure a truly sovereign capability, eg(seabed sentinel and copperhead heavy and light drone torpedoes)?
Without which its a bit of a hollow effort.
Good question – and no one knows because the government doesn’t believe in supplying any useful information. Ghost Shark is larger, which probably implies greater range. Given the very low cost of these systems, I would be ordering both Speartooth and Ghost Shark. I would go even further and establish a Drone Command, as Ukraine has done, to manage all of the AI / uncrewed / robotic systems.
This is great news for C2 Robotics But is there any hints that the R.A.N. Might be interested, all I’ve heard lately is Ghost Shark this, Ghost Shark that, which is good that it’s finally in production but it seems Speartooth is the forgotten child in all the ballyhoo. Any information on acquisition of the Speartooth by the ADF.