Hyperion Systems’ 3D-printed ASTRA 460 unmanned surface vessel (USV) is now operating on the water, marking the next stage in it’s development.
- The initial trial involved remote operation of ASTRA 460.
- Its hull was manufactured in Henderson using large-format additive manufacturing.
- The milestone follows the vessel’s public concept unveiling at Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference in Perth in May 2026.
Western Australian manufacturer Hyperion Systems has completed an initial sea trial of ASTRA 460, bringing together its printed hull and fitted marine systems for on-water testing.
As part of the trials the Astra successfully achieved a top speed of 40 knots with future tests to validate an expected cruising speed of 20-30 knots, payload in excess of 200kg and range of up to 200 kilometres.
ASTRA 460 is the first configuration under development within Hyperion’s broader ASTRA product range. The platform is being designed to rapidly retrofit a range of propulsion systems scalable to different levels of autonomy.
“Our longer-term ambition is to connect Australian vessel manufacturing with the ability to produce closer to where vessels are needed. ASTRA gives us a practical project through which to develop and test that approach.” Joshua Wigley, Founder and CEO of Hyperion Systems.
The project applies large-format additive manufacturing to vessel construction, using a process that builds the hull within 40 hours by depositing material layer by layer, compared with four to six week lead times using traditional boat-building methods.
Hyperion has been supported by Fiction Labs, a Western Australian autonomous hardware systems and maritime robotics enterprise, to install its propulsion unit and guidance system.
“Hyperion can print a hull in days. We can make it work on the water in weeks. That’s a new way for Australia to build sovereign maritime capability – fast, affordable and at scale” control systems partner, Joshua Cribb, Director Fiction Labs.
Hyperion will showcase ASTRA’s footage at Land Forces next week.
For more information, visit www.hyperionsystems.com.au
