Unmanned Craft News Roundup | May 30 – Russian and UK survey vehicles plus naval USVs and AUVs
Development is underway on new naval craft for operators in Asia as a Russian manufacturer unveils a new range of subsea robots and a UK company introduces an ocean-going variant of an existing USV design.
US robotics firm to supply USV to Royal Malaysian Navy
Los Angeles-based marine robotics specialist Swiftships has been selected to supply a new unmanned surface vehicle (USV) to the Royal Malaysian Navy.
Although the navy is in need of USVs and other unmanned craft, the present arrangement with Swiftships covers operation of the craft for trials with no obligation to purchase.
German cooperation to develop AUVs for defence applications
A partnership formed by German companies Euroatlas, Fassmer, Rheinmetall and EvoLogics is developing a new range of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) designed for defence applications.
The 6.5-metre, 3.5-tonne craft will be capable of surveillance, undersea warfare, object tracking and marking, and protection of critical infrastructure such as pipelines and cables. The AUVs may also be utilised to simulate targets to support weapons training by operators.
Singapore Navy awards contract for mine counter-measures drones
The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has awarded several contracts to Exail to provide a significant portion of the deliverables for a drone-based mine countermeasures solution.
As part of this program, the Singapore Navy is equipping itself with its own surface drones (USVs) provided by the local company ST Engineering, Exail's partner in this program.
UK firm introduces new ocean-going USV series
UK-based Zero USV, a company under unmanned systems specialist MSubs, recently introduced a new series of unmanned surface vehicle (USV).
The vessel is an upgraded version of a USV prototype that Zero USV launched earlier this year. The prototype had an operating range of 2,500 nautical miles while the newer version builds on the hybrid electric technology developed for the prototype and can increase overall mission duration to a 7,500 nautical miles.
Russian robotics firm introduces new ROV series
Russian marine robotics specialist Navis recently unveiled a new product range of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to be marketed to customers in the survey, offshore, and security sectors.
The ROVs will be available in light, medium and heavy variants with different rated maximum diving depths ranging from 150 metres to 1,000 metres. All examples will be designed to be easily transportable and highly manoeuvrable with the possibility of being retrofitted with additional equipment if needed.
