Blue Ops, the maritime division of advanced robotics provider Red Cat Holdings, has completed the first integration of a Volvo Penta D4-320 diesel engine and DPI drive into its Variant 7 uncrewed surface vessel.
The 320-horsepower, 3.7-liter, four-cylinder common-rail diesel engine is paired with a DPI DuoProp drive to deliver responsive handling, durability, and efficient marine performance. The new propulsion package has been fully integrated with the Variant 7’s autonomous navigation, remote operation, mission planning, and payload management capabilities. This addition broadens the propulsion configurations available for the platform, giving defense, homeland security, and allied customers access to a commercial marine system backed by Volvo Penta’s global service and parts network.
“We design our boats to give customers flexibility while maintaining the reliability, maintainability and mission performance required for demanding maritime operations,” said Barry Hinckley, President of Blue Ops. “Integrating the Volvo Penta D4-320 gives operators another proven propulsion option from a manufacturer they know and trust, while preserving the common autonomy and mission architecture at the core of the platform.”
Designed, built, and assembled in the United States for U.S. and allied defense missions, the Variant 7 is a mission-adaptable platform built around Modular Open Systems Architecture principles. The vessel supports intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; force protection; harbor and coastal security; contested logistics; and payload-adaptable operations. Its open architecture enables operators to configure propulsion, payloads, sensors, communications, and mission systems based on specific operational requirements while preserving compatibility with the core autonomy stack.
“Volvo Penta is committed to delivering dependable propulsion solutions, as well as parts and support for customers where and when they need it,” said Brock Gavin, Vice President of marine sales and service for Volvo Penta North America. “The integration of the D4-320 and DPI drive into Variant 7 demonstrates how proven propulsion technology can support the growing requirements of autonomous maritime operations in demanding environments. We are pleased to support Blue Ops with reliable propulsion solutions and service expertise as the company continues to develop and deploy innovative autonomous marine technologies for its customers.”
The integration follows Blue Ops’ transition into full-rate production of the Variant 7. The milestone reinforces Red Cat’s broader strategy to develop a flexible portfolio of autonomous systems across air, land, sea, and space, combining scalable U.S. manufacturing with accessible global service infrastructure for deployed autonomous platforms.
