From Concept to Capability in 60 Days: Introducing WHAI-Australiasia first all-electric jet powered USV
- John Gell
- Mar 24
- 4 min read
Speed matters.
Across New Zealand, Australia and the IndoPacific, defence and security sectors, the ability to move from idea to deployable capability is increasingly becoming a strategic advantage. Traditional capability acquisition cycles, often measured in years are no longer aligned with the pace of technological change. We know this. Defence knows this.
At EDGE Defence, we have taken a different approach to demonstrate the art of the possible. We have collaborated with veteran industry partners to develop, test and validate new capability that will be built and supported right here in New Zealand and our ally partners.
The result is WHAI. Our all-electric Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), designed, built, and made production-ready in just two months.
Why WHAI Matters?
WHAI is not just another autonomous vessel.
It is a demonstration of how capability can be delivered differently:
Rapid integration of proven technologies
Iterative design and build cycles
Production-ready from day one
Designed for scale, not just demonstration
Collaborative development, testing and construction with proven industry partners to convert commercial know-how, into Defence capability and low-cost.
This approach reduces risk, shortens timelines, and ensures that what is delivered is usable, deployable, and supportable.
Capability Density in a Compact Platform
WHAI has been engineered to deliver maximum operational effect within a minimal footprint of just 3.4m LOA and less than 1m beam.
Key features include:
All-electric propulsion for low acoustic and thermal signature.
Speeds of over 30 knots speed overground. With loittering speeds below 4 knots delivering energy-neutral voyaging thanks to onboard solar generation.
Modular energy storage that can be expanded or reduced to meet mission needs designed as 'blocks' that are quickly and easily manoeuvered.
Optional hybrid generator system for multi-week long endurance missions
Modular payload architecture for ISR, communications, and mission systems allowing for over 350kg of 3rd party systems into a standardised payload bay.
Autonomous and remote operation capability
Low-profile configuration for littoral and covert operations
Amphibious self-launching trailer and container-compatible deployment for complete turnkey sustainment when deployed.
Construction available in carbon fibre (pictured), fibreglass, aluminium or HDPE.
This allows operators to deploy meaningful capability without large platforms or complex logistics chains.
Built for Production, Not Prototyping
One of the most important aspects of WHAI is that it is production-ready today.
EDGE Defence currently has the capability to manufacture:
25 x WHAI platforms per month
At these levels, EDGE is delivering low cost, modular autonomous systems that deliver:
Rapid fleet scaling
Reduced lead times
Consistent, repeatable builds
Cost-effective delivery at volume
As we build further production capability, EDGE will invest into additive manufacturing, plant and equipment which will see these production rates quickly increase. Our goal is to continuously drive down the cost of manufacturing to ensure our solutions are attainable by all Defence, government agencies and security organisations globally at a scale that actually makes an impact.
MODUS-Swarm: Enabling Deployment at Scale
WHAI does not operate in isolation.
It is designed to integrate directly with MODUS-Swarm, EDGE Defence’s modular containerised deployment system.
MODUS-Swarm enables:
Transport and storage of multiple (12 x units) USVs in a single deployable unit
Integrated power, charging, and energy management
Maintenance and sustainment capability in the field
Rapid deployment into austere and remote environments
Together, WHAI and MODUS-Swarm deliver a complete, deployable system, not just a platform.
An Open Platform for Integration and Innovation
While WHAI is production-ready, it is also intentionally designed as an integration platform.
EDGE Defence is actively working with industry partners to:
Integrate advanced sensors and payloads
Test autonomy and C2 systems
Validate technologies in real maritime environments
This will create pathways for New Zealand industry companies to move from technology development to operational deployment, faster.
Supporting IndoPacific
WHAI has been developed with regional requirements in mind, supporting:
Maritime domain awareness
Coastal and littoral surveillance
Force protection and training
Critical underwater infrastructure (CUI) monitoring
Distributed, sustained ISR operations
Its low cost, low signature, modularity, and production scalability make it particularly suited to the vast and complex maritime environments of the Indo-Pacific.
Whai's existing capabilities, coupled with EDGE Defence's proven ability to integrate and interate rapidly, will unlock future use cases and omni-use applications as they are discovered.
The Future of Maritime Capability
WHAI represents more than a single platform.
It is the foundation of EDGE Defence’s broader autonomous systems roadmap, enabling:
Scalable, distributed operations
Integration with crewed and uncrewed systems
Rapid adaptation to emerging mission requirements
Work With Us
EDGE Defence is actively seeking industry partners and collaborators to integrate and trial technologies on the WHAI platform.
If you are developing capability in:
Sensors and ISR systems
Communications and networking
Autonomy and control systems
Energy and power solutions
We want to hear from you.
Get in touch: https://www.edge-defence.com/contact-us
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