Russian unmanned systems manufacturer Sea Project recently handed over a new unmanned surface vehicle (USV) to the Northern Arctic Federal University (NArFU).
Orkan (Оркан) belongs to a series of USVs developed jointly by Sea Project and Unmanned Logistics in fulfilment of a frame agreement with the Arkhangelsk Regional Government. Breeze (Бриз), the first craft in the series, was delivered last year and has been used for cargo transport duties.
NArFU will operate the new USV as a research and training platform. It will be used as a testbed for autonomous navigation technologies and environmental monitoring systems.
Though compact in size, Orkan is capable of transporting up to 500 kg of assorted payloads of various types over long distances. The cargo will be loaded in a dedicated compartment in the bow.
The USV is powered by a Yaroslavl diesel engine and is fitted with an AIS, collision avoidance systems, and remote and autonomous navigation systems. Tests on the earlier Breeze validated the ability to withstand extreme operating conditions in the White Sea and to reach remote settlements such as those on the Solovetsky Islands.
The USV can also be monitored remotely from either another vessel or a shore control station.
