Austal completes Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial sea trials

The collaborative Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT) project has successfully completed the sea acceptance trials (including endurance trials) of the autonomously operated vessel, Sentinel.

The trials, conducted by Austal Australia, consisted of a series of remote and autonomous navigation events conducted off of 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, in case of any unforeseen deviations or necessary manual interventions.

PBAT is a collaboration between Austal Australia, Greenroom Robotics, Trusted Autonomous Systems (TAS) and the Royal Australian Navy 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.

“Trusted Autonomous Systems are extremely impressed and proud of the achievements of the PBAT project," said TAS Chief Executive Officer Glen Schafer.

"Autonomous and automated features on a vessel of this size in addition to the regulatory considerations are complex. It is a clear demonstration of the significant innovation possible through investment in sovereign industry”.

In 2022, Austal Australia took possession of the decommissioned HMAS Maitland from the Commonwealth of Australia, renamed the vessel ‘Sentinel’ and commenced planning, modification, testing and evaluation of autonomous and remotely operated systems for the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT). At 57 metres long, Sentinel is the largest vessel in Australia to be operated remotely and autonomously. 

Sentinel was extensively modified to enable remote and autonomous operations, including modifications to navigation, communications, bilges, CCTV, and electrical systems. Sensors and computer units were also added by Greenroom Robotics to inform and host the Autonomous Control System, GAMA.

"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," said Paddy Gregg, Austal CEO.

Austal stated that the PBAT team - comprising Austal, Greenroom Robotics, TAS and Navy WIN Branch - have worked hard and achieved the objectives of the trial which was to demonstrate the autonomous technology successfully within a complex regulatory and operating environment.