Australia to Equip Evolved Cape-Class Vessel with GAMA Autonomous System

Advancements in Maritime Autonomy for the Royal Australian Navy

Introduction to GAMA System Trials

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is poised to enhance its operational capabilities with the upcoming sea trials of an Evolved Cape-class patrol vessel, scheduled for 2026. Onshore trials of remote engineering and autonomy systems will be conducted during the trials.

Unveiling the GAMA Maritime Autonomy System

A representative from Greenroom Robotics confirmed this advancement during the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2025. Following extensive trials and successful testing, future Austal vessels have the option to include Greenroom’s GAMA and Lookout+ technology to transform them into fully autonomous vessels.

Integration of Advanced Autonomous Technologies

As part of the integration, the Evolved Cape-class vessel will incorporate the Autonomous Remotely Operated Ships (AROS) system from Austal. This system will enable the support of capabilities required for optionally crewed and autonomous vessels. Austal’s AROS Platform Controller, designed and developed by Austal at Henderson, Western Australia, is a safety control system that manages the transfer of information between the vessel’s complex engineering systems and the navigational autonomy system.

Key Features of GAMA and AROS:

• Fusion of data from multiple sensor inputs.
• An artificial intelligence-based algorithm that autonomously determines navigation routes and maneuvers.
• Enhanced situational awareness for operators.

Confidentiality Surrounding Vessel Identification

While specific details regarding the vessel designated for these trials remain confidential, industry analysts speculate it will likely be the future ADV Cape Hawke, which is currently under construction at Austal’s Henderson Shipyard.

Building on Prior Research Initiatives

The upcoming trials will serve as an evaluation of autonomous and remotely-controlled operations. This effort builds on the highly successful Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT) program, which was successfully concluded in April 2024, where the integrated software executed 148 autonomous collision avoidance maneuvers over a 705-nautical-mile trial.

Conclusion

This trial positions Australia at the forefront of naval autonomy in the Indo-Pacific. If autonomy or remote operations are introduced, it would enable the Royal Australian Navy to experiment with new operating concepts such as reducing crew workload, extending operational endurance, and deploying vessels in higher-risk environments without exposing its personnel.