Austal completes first PBAT trial for RAN

Perth-based Austal Australia has completed the first phase of the collaborative Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT), the Sea Acceptance Trials (including Endurance Trials) of the remote and autonomously operated vessel, Sentinel.

The trials, conducted by Austal Australia, consisted of a series of remote and autonomous navigation events conducted off the Western Australian coastline during March and April 2024; utilising Greenroom Robotics’ Advanced Maritime Autonomy (GAMA) Software to reliably navigate the de-commissioned Armidale-class Patrol Boat. Throughout the trials, a limited number of project team members, observers and a crew from International Maritime Services (IMS) were on board, ensuring a swift response in case of any unforeseen deviations or necessary manual interventions.

The Commonwealth-funded PBAT is a collaboration between Austal Australia, Greenroom Robotics, Trusted Autonomous Systems and the Royal Australian Navy’s Warfare Innovation Navy (WIN) Branch to establish robotic, automated and autonomous elements on a former Navy patrol boat to provide a proof-of-concept demonstrator, for optionally crewed or autonomous operations. The trial has also explored the legal, regulatory pathways and requirements of operating an autonomous vessel. At 57 metres LOA, Sentinel is by far the largest vessel operated in Australia to be operated remotely and autonomously.

A former Armidale-class Patrol Boat, HMAS Maitland, Sentinel has been extensively modified by Austal and GreenRoom Robotics to enable remote and autonomous operations. Modifications include the, communications, bilges, CCTV, and electrical systems. Sensors and computer units were also added by Greenroom Robotics to inform and host GAMA.

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the completion of the sea trials marks a significant milestone, successfully demonstrating the capability of locally developed autonomous systems and their integration within a full-size, Australian-made naval vessel.

“Looking ahead, we are excited about the potential opportunities to work with Navy to further advance the autonomous technology demonstrated during the trial; on projects such as the Large Optionally Crewed Surface Vessels (LOSV), recently announced by the Australian Government as part of the Surface Combatant Fleet Review,” Mr Gregg said.

Greenroom Robotics Chief Technology Officer Harry Hubbert said, “PBAT has been a very successful collaborative project. Together, we’ve harnessed collective expertise to deliver this ground-breaking project, setting the stage for a future brimming with maritime capability. This collaborative effort not only has the potential to enhance current operations and platforms but also paves the way for unprecedented advancements on the horizon.”

The objectives of PBAT are:

• To significantly progress the concept of remote operations and the autonomous certification approach
• increase the understanding of fuel management, communication, and navigation systems to be made autonomous
• investigate and understand the sustained operation of shipboard mechanical systems without crew intervention, including systems of redundancy and reliability to support operations at sea for extended periods
• Provide input to long-term risk reduction for future naval projects, considering remote or autonomous vessels. This will be extended to other sensors and autonomous vehicles once the initial trial is complete
• Transfer lessons learned on the application of remote or autonomous systems to the Royal Australian Navy’s current fleet to potentially optimise crew workload. Remote and autonomous operation has the potential to reduce crew workload and increase operational safety by reducing human error