The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Boeing recently used the Liquid Robotics-developed Wave Glider USV to complete a seven-day open water mission, which was the “first major milestone of a five-year joint research agreement” between the two companies.
The mission, which covered 200 nautical miles including parts of North Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef, showcased how the Wave Glider could evaluate the health of the coral reefs and ecosystems.
USV
USV
From Unmanned Systems magazine: Navy plans 'simpler truck' for its unmanned countermine mission
The U.S. Navy still plans to hunt for maritime mines using autonomous craft but the service likely will attack the problem from a different angle, says Adm. John Richardson, the chief of naval operations.
For much of the past decade, the Navy worked off a plan to replace its aging wood-hulled mine-hunting boats mostly with a network of systems launched from the service’s new littoral combat ships (LCS), anchored by an unmanned underwater vehicle called a Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV) that would launch from the LCS and lead the mine-finding and destroying operations, relying on the most advanced sensors and associated equipment.
Lockheed Martin Ventures invests in Ocean Aero, maker of the Submaran unmanned maritime vehicle
Lockheed Martin Ventures has announced that it is making a strategic investment in Ocean Aero, a company that has developed an unmanned maritime vehicle called the Submaran.
Built for ocean observation and data collection, the Submaran is a new class of unmanned underwater and surface vessel. The vehicle, which is powered by wind and solar energy, can travel for months, even in extreme conditions.
Easily deployable and recoverable, the vehicle can avoid surface traffic or conduct C4ISR operations thanks to its ability to dive to depths of 660 feet.
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Elbit Systems’ multi mission USV, named Seagull, performed a live demonstration of a remotely operated Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) mission. Via Satellite Communication (SATCOM), the Seagull USV performed the operational ASW mission using control consoles located approximately 3,515 kilometers away in Elbit Systems' booth at the DSEI Exhibition in London. The Seagull USV was sailing in the Haifa Bay, Israel during the demonstration. (Elbit Systems)
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
In front of representatives of the Army and the special operation forces of Indonesia, UAVOS Inc. recently demonstrated an “unmanned aerial complex” with a gasoline-powered helicopter UVH-29E. The robotized helicopter demonstrated its biggest strength—being able to operate in a tropical and humid maritime climate—as it successfully completed all of its tasks. UAVOS investor and Board member Vadim Tarasov says that the UAV helicopter has a number of potential use cases, including anti-terrorist operations, law enforcement and intelligence operations, and search and rescue operations.
Duluth Fire Department in Minnesota considering purchasing EMILY USV
The Duluth Fire Department in Duluth, Minnesota is considering purchasing the Emergency Integrated Lifesaving LanYard (EMILY) drone, which is a 24-pound unmanned water rescue drone that was created by Tucson, Arizona-based Hydronalix.
Equipped with a two-way radio that allows first responders to communicate with the person needing assistance, the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) carries a detachable lifejacket and helmet, and can float with six to eight people holding on to it.
Duluth Fire Capt. Brent Consie says that the city has an extensive amount of shoreline, and is one of the worst spots in the Great Lakes for rip currents.
BAE Systems to develop United Kingdom’s first dedicated autonomous systems testing service
BAE Systems, a company that provides “advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions,” will “design and deliver the UK’s first dedicated autonomous systems testing service,” after being awarded a grant of £457,000 from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The new service, which is expected to be ready for use later this year, will give customers a “safe, controlled and realistic environment in the Solent” where they can conduct trials and test a variety of systems such as unmanned boats, air vehicles and autonomous sensors.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University awarded grant to develop advanced capabilities for USVs
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will develop advanced communication, perception and energy systems for USVs, after being awarded a five-year, $900,000 research grant from the U.S. Office of Naval Research.
Under this grant, Embry-Riddle will seek to accomplish a number of goals, with one focus being to develop “stealthier ways for unmanned vessels on the ocean’s surface to communicate with unmanned underwater vehicles such as submarines.”
Northrop Grumman demonstrates unmanned mine-hunting capabilities in Belgium
Northrop Grumman has announced that using the high-speed AQS-24B sensor, the company has successfully demonstrated unmanned mine-hunting capabilities during the Belgian Defense Technology and Industry Day trials at the Naval Base at Zeebrugge, Belgium.
The demonstration, which is a follow-on to a successful operation that took place in October 2016 during Unmanned Warrior in Scotland, showcased the high area coverage rate (ACR) that is attainable when combining Northrop Grumman’s AQS-24B mine hunting system with the Atlas Elektronik UK ARCIMS USV, a platform that has proven to be extremely stable, and shown that it is ideally suited for towing the high-speed AQS-24B in rough seas.
Students honored for Naval meteorological studies
Graduates of the first Unmanned Maritime Systems Certification program from the University of Southern Mississippi received their certificates late last week in a ceremony marking the end of an unmanned systems demonstration in the Gulf of Mexico.
The class was created by the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, and the 15 graduates were presented their certificates by Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet, commander of the meteorological service.
John Meyer, deputy technical director for the command, said the program is the first of its kind in the country. It took about a year and a half to pull together, and more classes are planned.