Royal Navy Revives Wind Power with Innovative Robotic Sailboat Trials

The Royal Navy of Britain is embracing its sailing heritage with an innovative fleet of small, wind-powered robots.

The vessel, named C-Star, was developed by Ocean Ltd. in Plymouth, England. Measuring only 1.2 meters in length and weighing approximately 40 kilograms, C-Star utilizes solar panels to power its navigation, communication, and sensors, while its sails enable propulsion. These small vessels operate in clusters, forming an extensive sensor network.

“C-Star can be described as a self-deploying, position-maintaining offshore buoy,” stated Anahita Laverack, CEO of Ocean.

Each C-Star can cover around 80 miles daily at a speed of approximately 2 knots or remain stationary using the wind for propulsion. “In CCTV networks, speed isn’t a priority,” Laverack explained. “The goal is to position the sensors where they are most needed.”

In a recent test announcement, a larger robotic ship will deploy three C-Stars into designated areas. Once in position, C-Star will transmit acoustic signals from an unmanned submarine. In practical applications, numerous C-Stars will likely be utilized.

“With just one C-Star, adversaries could ascertain the general location of the submarine you’re communicating with. However, deploying 100 makes the submarine’s exact position unpredictable,” Laverack noted.

These unmanned vessels have the capacity to remain at sea for over six months, enduring even extreme maritime conditions. Last year, C-Stars set a precedent as the first unmanned vessel to provide live data from within a Category 5 hurricane, as part of a research initiative with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

If the Navy’s demonstration is successful, these robotic sailing ships could take on diverse roles. Their functions may include communication with submarines, gathering intelligence from undersea sensors, and establishing patrol lines to detect ships, approaching missiles, and drones attempting to elude radar detection.

C-Star is also envisioned as an ideal solution for submarine detection, offering an alternative to disposable sonar-equipped buoys that have a brief operational lifespan. Utilizing hydrophones, these vessels can listen for submarines and capture sonar signals reflecting off external sources such as warships. This would allow C-Star to effectively illuminate the surrounding area for detection.

According to Blair Thornton, a researcher at the University of Southampton, UK, the adoption of solar and wind-powered unmanned vessels has steadily progressed over the past decade, with around 100 such vessels now in operation. He emphasizes that autonomy will be crucial for these fleets.

“The operational cost of the platform is important, but so is the extent of monitoring required for its operation,” Thornton remarked. “Combining long-term durability with efficient performance while minimizing human intervention presents a significant advantage, facilitating the operation of extensive fleets of autonomous systems.”

The forthcoming demonstration aims to illustrate how seamlessly C-Star can integrate with existing naval systems. Should the Navy decide to proceed with an order, Oshen can deliver up to 1,000 boats within a nine-month timeframe.

“The next phase will involve software enhancements aimed at providing more detailed information and facilitating better coverage of larger areas with fewer C-Stars,” Laverack added.