Congressman Courtney Launches Revolutionary Unmanned Vessel to Enhance AUKUS Security Initiatives

In a significant move towards bolstering maritime security, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) recently launched an innovative unmanned undersea surveillance vessel. This event, held at the SeaAirSpace 2025 Conference in Oxon Hill, Maryland, marks an important milestone in the trilateral AUKUS initiative between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Among those present at the christening were high-profile attendees including Australian Ambassador Dr. Kevin Rudd, ThayerMahan Chairman and CEO Mike Connor, and Ocius Technology CEO Dr. Robert Dane.

The vessel, known as the Outpost TM001, developed by the Groton, Connecticut-based ThayerMahan, is equipped to provide rapid and effective anti-submarine warfare (ASW) surveillance capabilities. It represents a leap forward in addressing the growing undersea threats that nations face today. With the ability to deliver wide-area maritime surveillance, the Outpost system not only enhances traditional naval forces—aircraft, ships, and submarines—but does so efficiently and economically, requiring less time and resources for deployment than conventional methods.

Unmatched Surveillance Capabilities

What sets the Outpost TM001 apart is its cutting-edge design. The vessel boasts a 22-foot hull created by Ocius Technology in Australia, which harnesses renewable energy sources—solar, wind, and wave—allowing it to operate autonomously for extended periods. It is fitted with a deep-towed passive acoustic array and advanced processing technology, enabling it to gather and disseminate crucial maritime intelligence in near-real-time from any location worldwide.

During the launch, Congressman Courtney praised Mike Connor, a former U.S. Navy Vice Admiral, calling him a