Japan: Eco Marine Power has begun development of an unmanned surface vessel (USV) based on technology it has developed for the Aquarius MRE System.
The new vessel design concept is called the AquariusUSV. The vessel will be able to undertake a variety of missions ranging from littoral operations such as coastal patrol, interdiction & surveillance to mine countermeasures (MCM) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). It will also be possible to configure the vessel to perform scientific work such as oceanographic research.
To maximise the operating range, the AquariusUSV will utilise the EnergySail technology currently being developed for Eco Marine Power's Aquarius MRE System in addition to incorporating a number of new design concepts. Unlike many other USVs, the AquariusUSV will tap into renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power to reduce fuel consumption. These energy sources will also allow it to operate almost silently when required.
It is expected that the initial design for the AquariusUSV will be completed by mid-2012 and that testing of a scale model prototype will commence sometime in 2013.
