These are short blog posts (“pings”) from many sources related to sonar technology & news for military and commercial applications.

Navy orders 18,000 multistatic sonobuoys for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) from ERAPSCO and Lockheed Martin

Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., announced last week that ERAPSCO in Columbia City, Ind., and the Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems segment in Manassas, Va., will share as much as $222 million to build as many as 18,000 AN/SSQ-125A multistatic sonobuoys for Navy airborne ASW operations.

Sonobuoys are air launched expendable, electro-mechanical ASW acoustic sensors designed to relay underwater sounds of ships and submarines. Sonobuoys enable Navy ASW forces to track potentially hostile submarines operating in the open ocean and in coastal areas that could be threats to Navy carrier battle groups or other forces. Information from these systems can help enable precision attacks with air-launched torpedoes.

Navy fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters can drop a pattern of sonobuoys, which relay information back to the aircraft by radio link, to determine the exact locations of enemy submarines. ERAPSCO and Lockheed Martin will compete for AN/SQQ-125 sonobuoy orders over the next two years. Read More …

Brazilian Navy Expands with New Offshore Patrol Ship

The keel was laid on 28 November for the fifth Macaé-class coastal patrol ship for the Brazilian Navy, NPa Miramar (P74), at the state-owned shipyard, Arsenal de Marinha do Rio de Janeiro (AMRJ).

NPa Miramar will be the first Macaé-class boat to have the capability to carry out mine-countermeasures (MCM) operations, thanks to provisions to accommodate unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Read More…

Revolutionizing Seafloor Mapping: Eelume Redefines Subsea Exploration

Ocean Autonomy Cluster member Eelume, in collaboration with Voyis and Exail, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in underwater exploration.

Using their All-Terrain Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Eelume has delivered ultra-high-resolution 3D photogrammetry of the seafloor and subsea objects—completely untethered. Read More …

Now you can really see ‘the wood from the trees’!

Existing Sonic™ #2026 multibeam systems can now be enabled with Ultra High Resolution (UHR) 700kHz option for unprecedented resolution.

This distinctive image was captured during recent testing of the 2026-V at Lake Travis in Texas. The lake serves as a flooded reservoir, featuring several pecan trees that stand prominently, illustrating the adage ‘seeing the wood from the trees.’

For additional information, please contact the R2Sonic support team at R2Support@r2sonic.com.

British engineers successfully demonstrate UK’s first autonomous extra large submarine “Herne” for military use

The vessel, called Herne, is what is known as an extra large autonomous underwater vehicle (XLAUV) and has been configured by BAE Systems to enable militaries to monitor and help protect underwater infrastructure across the vast expanses of the seabed, support anti-submarine warfare and provide another means for them to undertake covert surveillance missions.

The trials earlier this month saw the craft conduct a pre-programmed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission, powered by Nautomate, the Company’s platform agnostic high specification autonomous military control system. This follows successful trials of the technology on a surface vessel earlier this year.

“Herne is a game changer in the underwater battlespace. It will give our customers a cost effective autonomous capability that will allow for a wide range of missions, end the reliance on crewed platforms, keeping people out of harm’s way and boosting endurance.” — Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business

Able to be fitted to existing or new build vessels, Nautomate gives users a cost-effective option to boost their autonomous capabilities, allowing them to operate with greater scale, endurance and persistence, whilst removing the need for human crews to operate in arduous or dangerous conditions. This can free up skilled personnel to focus on the tasks where people add most value. Read More…

Buried boulder cable route survey

Kraken Robotics is revolutionizing buried boulder cable route surveys in post-glacial regions such as NW Europe, the Baltics, and the NE USA, where boulders in the seabed often cause significant delays and increased costs during cable installation campaigns. These unforeseen soil conditions can lead to shallow cable burial, heightening the risk of damage from other sea users or mobile sediments.

The Sub-Bottom Imager™ (SBI), a 3D acoustic survey sensor, has collected thousands of kilometers of high-resolution 3D sub-seabed data, identifying buried boulders larger than 0.2 meters in diameter within the upper 5 meters of the seabed. With over 100,000 buried boulders located across numerous global projects, the SBI stands as the most reliable survey sensor for supporting offshore construction. By providing a clear understanding of sub-seabed conditions, the SBI enables the development of optimized cable routes, accurate trenching methodologies, and realistic schedules – ensuring cable installation is completed on time and within budget.

NATO drill sends divers, drones to sneak by underwater alarm sensors

NATO has tested a series of alliance-made underwater sensors, meant to protect critical infrastructure in the oceans, by sending divers and drones to sneak past them.

The experimentation event took place on Nov. 14 and was co-organized by Allied Special Operations Forces Command, or SOFCOM, and the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) in La Spezia, Italy.

The test, held in the context of the first edition of Exercise Bold Machina 2024, consisted of running special forces teams fitted with different equipment, including diving propulsion devices, through detection systems to assess if they would be picked up and provide engineers with insight into signature variations.

Several companies provided a mix of sensors for the drill designed detect a variety of signals in the acoustic, magnetic, passive, and electric realms, officials said. Exercise organizers hooked up the readings to an augmented reality simulator in order to have analysts experience it directly. Read More…

‘Dancing Mouse’ WW2 US destroyer wreck located

The deep-lying wreck of a US Navy destroyer sunk following a valiant last stand against the odds during World War Two has been discovered in the north-eastern Indian Ocean, according to US Naval History & Heritage Command.

The destroyer USS Edsall (DD-219) had survived unscathed for more than an hour while confronting a powerful Japanese naval force before finally being hit and sunk under air attack.

The US Navy and Royal Australian Navy, which had come across the wreck while scanning the seabed during an unrelated mission, waited until the recent Remembrance Day (Veterans Day in the USA) on 11 November to announce the discovery.

The 94m Edsall was built in 1920, one of the Clemson-class “flush deck” destroyers designed in 1917 as battle-fleet escorts to counter WW1 German torpedo-boats.

She carried four 4in guns, one 3in anti-aircraft gun, four triple-tube 21in torpedo mounts with 12 torpedoes, two depth-charge tracks at the stern and a forward depth-charge projector, a set-up that had changed little apart from some additional machine-guns by the time WW2 was underway.

HERNE XLAUV

Bae Systems HERNE uncrewed submarine demonstrator starts its UK waters trials in the new week. Provides some competition for CETUS, the demonstrator being built by MSubs for the Royal Navy. The sub, by Canada’s CELLULA, did basic trials in Canadian waters.

‘Quiet As a Baby Dolphin’: The Astute-Class Submarine Is Not To Be Toyed With

The UK’s Astute-class submarines are among the most advanced and quietest in the world, rivaled only by the U.S. Navy. Equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Spearfish torpedoes, these submarines can launch precise strikes from 1,000 miles away and operate undetected thanks to over 39,000 acoustic tiles that mask their sonar signature.

Each submarine’s cutting-edge technology includes advanced sonar, electronic countermeasures, and a dry deck shelter for Special Forces, cementing their role as formidable assets for the Royal Navy.

For detecting enemy vessels, the Astute-class submarines are equipped with Sonar 2076 – an integrated passive/active search and attack sonar suite with bow, intercept, and towed arrays.

New sensors make Speartooth sea drone a silent-killer with 1,242-mile reach

Australian firm C2 Robotics has partnered with Thales to improve the capabilities of its large unscrewed underwater vehicle (LUUV), also known as the Speartooth underwater drone.

The two companies’ collaboration aims to integrate Thales Australia’s sovereign sonar sensor technology into the Speartooth drone.

Upon integration, it will enhance the LUUV’s long-range autonomous navigation capabilities. This will make it a better fit for performing a wide variety of operations with increased safety, precision, and reliability.

According to the agreement entered into by both companies, all the parts for integration will be produced locally at a Thales facility in Sydney, Australia.

“Collaborating with Thales, whose proficiency in sonar and acoustic payloads is world renowned, has the potential to accelerate Speartooth’s capabilities and footprint on an AUKUS stage,” Dr Tom Loveard, Chief Technology Officer, C2 Robotics.

The announcement was made during the Royal Australian Navy’s recent Exercise Autonomous Warrior Maritime Big Play 2024, which took place at Jervis Bay in October 2024. The exercise tested a range of autonomous technologies for use below and on the surface of the ocean.

Speartooth is a LUUV designed for long-range and long-duration undersea operations. C2 Robotics states that its modular and reconfigurable design allows manufacturing scalability at a competitive cost point.

The 26-foot (8-meter) low-cost drone has a 3.2-foot (1-meter) beam. Its electric direct propeller propulsion allows it to operate discreetly in all kinds of areas.

According to a report, the drone is powered by Lithium-ion batteries. It has a range of 1242 miles (2000 kilometers) and can operate efficiently at depths of 6561 feet (2000 meters) in the ocean.

Speartooth has a customizable payload bay and a flooded hull. Moreover, it has advanced high-quality sonar mapping abilities, making it a worthy tool for tracking and surveillance.

French company Exail has received a contract to supply mine countermeasures system to the UAE Navy.

Exail will provide the UMIS 3rd generation unmanned integrated mine countermeasures system to the navy.

UMIS is a MCM transportable solution capable to deploy from shore or mothership. It is based on the UMIS comprehensive naval drones system developed by Exail and adopted by several navies such as Belgium and Netherlands, a NATO reference for mine clearance missions at sea.

Each naval drone, autonomous or remotely operated equipment of an Exail drones system, integrates an embedded UMISOFT software module which is linked to the main supervision core dispatched in the control consoles of the operation center located onboard the mother ship or ashore, according to the company.

The software can be interconnected with different equipment such as UAVs, sensors, sweeps, automated LARS, etc.

The system aims to provide advanced capabilities for remote mine clearance.

Russia’s Borei-Class Submarines Set New Benchmark, Surpassing U.S. Nuclear Subs in Sonar Prowess

The sonar system “Irtysh-Amphora-B-055” on the Borei-class nuclear submarines provides multifunctional capabilities, allowing it to detect and track at least 30 targets simultaneously, is said to outperform the sonar capabilities of fourth-generation U.S. submarines such as the Ohio and Virginia classes, according to Russian submarine experts.

Led by the main hydroacoustic antenna called “Amphora,” side antennas, and towed antennas, the system uses digital signal processing to search for sound direction, search for echo, and classify targets.

In addition to detecting and tracking enemy submarines, torpedoes, and missile launchers, the “Irtysh-Amphora-B-055” system also contributes to operations in the Arctic by measuring ice thickness and identifying polynyas (areas of water surrounded by ice) for launching guided missiles or allowing the submarine to surface.

Currently, the Russian Navy operates six submarines from Project 955 and 955A, including Yuriy Dolgorukiy, Alexander Nevsky, and Vladimir Monomakh, which are part of Project 955. As for Project 955A, it includes Knyaz Vladimir, Knyaz Oleg, and Generalissimus Suvorov.

Thales and Exail Partner to Deliver Next-generation AUV Mine Detection Capabilities for French Navy’s SLAMF Mine Countermeasures Programme

Thales and Exail have been selected by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) to deliver eight, plus eight more in option, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV).This extended version of the A18-M AUV will integrate the SAMDIS 600 sonar for the SLAMF program (the French Armed forces programme, supervised by the DGA, which aims at renewing the French Navy mine warfare capabilities with massive use of unmanned systems).

Thales’s new compact SAMDIS sonar is optimized for the detection of all naval mine threats down to deeper waters. Featuring a unique advanced multi-view capability, it captures images from multiple angles in a single pass. Integrated with the Mi-MAP sonar data analysis software and Artificial Intelligence-driven algorithms, the SAMDIS 600 achieves exceptionally high detection and classification probabilities, delivering superior performance, which increases operational tempo and efficiency.

Based on an extended version of Exail’s A18-M AUV, with its long-range precision and stealth, and its ability to operate in challenging environments, this AUV is a sea-proven vehicle, designed to embed sonar for the detection and classification of maritime mines. Exail is responsible for developing the AUV’s fully autonomous capabilities and integrating, closely with Thales, the SAMDIS sonar technology.

Euronaval 2024 – SeaShield, an underwater coastal surveillance sonar by DSIT Solutions of Israel

DSIT Solutions, the Rafael subsidiary specialised in defensive systems against underwater threats, unveiled at Euronaval 2024 its SeaShield fixed very long-range underwater coastal surveillance sonar

“Detecting submarines at very long distances has been until now a capability in the hands of superpowers, due to its cost. With our SeaShield we give the opportunity to a wide range of potential customers to acquire a similar capability at a very affordable price,” Amir Alon, Vice-President Marketing and Business Development at DSIT Solutions

It is quite obvious that the shallow waters of the Baltic Sea are quite different from those of the Mediterranean which are dissimilar from that of other oceans or seas. “To fine tune our product we play with the transducers, with the frequencies, to reach the best performances,” he adds. Should the main threat come from underwater unmanned vehicles (UUVs) or swimmer delivery vehicles (SDVs) DSIT Solutions would adapt its system to targets much smaller than conventional submarines that operate at different speed.

The SeaShield comes in the form of two horizontal receive linear arrays with a length of around 40 metres each, deployed at an angle of 240°, with a vertical transmit array at their interception. The latter, which is 3 metres high with a diameter of around 1 metre, emits omnidirectional high source-level standard and coded pulses; to simplify maintenance DSIT kept ashore as many components as possible, therefore transmit power amplifiers are installed on land, acoustic energy being transferred to the transmit array via an underwater cable. The system can operate in passive mode, its receiving arrays ensuring detection and classification based on DEMON (Detection of Envelope Modulation on Noise), narrowband analysis and audio. When the transmit array is activated detection and classification are based on Doppler, target size, target dynamics and imagery. “We can do DEMON and we can do active imagery of every contact, as we have very sophisticated algorithms that help the operator in the decision process of the classification,” Amir Alon tells us, adding that these algorithms obviously contain some artificial intelligence elements, including machine learning, the latter allowing automatic database updating as well as constant improvements in the knowledge of the specific arena conditions, the mammals present in the area, etc.

Deploying the SeaShield allows reducing considerably the use of antisubmarine warfare naval and air assets, which permits considerable saving. To keep the cost under control, DSIT Solutions strongly advises to deploy the wet end installation at 30 metres depth, which allows divers with standard compressed air bottle to reach the system for maintenance.

Bulgarian Navy Enhances Capabilities with New Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

The Hydrographic Office of the Bulgarian Naval Forces has welcomed the arrival of two Teledyne Gavia autonomous underwater vehicles (UUVs). This acquisition is part of a program initiated by the US Department of Defense aimed at enhancing the defense capabilities of allied nations, following a contract established with the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense.

These underwater vehicles are specifically designed for hydrographic research in coastal areas, capable of operating at depths of up to 1,000 meters. They can be utilized for both scientific investigations and defense-related applications. The UUVs consist of modular components, making them easy to maintain and upgrade with additional sensors and equipment. Control can be managed from a ship, offering flexibility in various operational scenarios.

The newly acquired devices come equipped with advanced technology, including a Teledyne SeaBat T-20 multibeam sonar and a Teledyne Benthos Sub Bottom Profiler. They also include two mine countermeasure sonar modules and an anti-submarine warfare training module. Precise navigation for hydrographic studies is ensured by an integrated GPS receiver, an inertial navigation system, and Doppler speed measurements.

Germany is testing a submarine hunter drone

BlueWhale is an unmanned submarine from the Israeli company IAI. It has already successfully endured over 2000 hours in the world’s oceans, including the Atlantic, North and Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean.

The 11-meter unmanned submarine weighs about 5.5 tons, making it suitable for use in shallow waters in the Baltic Sea’s coastal waters. The maximum permissible diving depth is about 300 meters.

The BlueWhale is equipped with a suite of acoustic and sonar sensors for underwater target acquisition, including a separate towed array sonar. The retractable mast is also equipped with optical sensors and its own radar.

Such a system is capable of providing long-term patrolling at sea using active sensors or covert reconnaissance exclusively through passive detection systems.

Deep sea explorers say they found Amelia Earhart’s plane

It’s one of the greatest unsolved mysteries ever, but we might now be on the verge of discovering what happened to Amelia Earhart’s plane.

On June 1, 1937, she and navigator Fred Noonan made an attempt to fly around the world in a Lockheed Electra 10-E plane, but somewhere over the Pacific, they lost radio contact and were never heard from again.

Since then, many have shared theories about what happened to them, from running out of gas and crashing in the water to landing on a Japanese island and being killed by the Japanese who thought she was a spy.

But now, a group of explorers say they’ve found her plane 16,000 feet deep in the Pacific Ocean, and they have the sonar picture to prove it.

A company called Deep Sea Vision uses advanced sonar technology to see the ocean floor miles below the surface.

They say the image they captured exactly matches the dimensions of Earhart’s plane and it’s in the area where she is believed to have crashed.

They spent 80 days scanning the ocean floor with an underwater drone.

Steel cut for Portuguese Navy’s new multipurpose ship

Dutch shipbuilding major Damen Shipyards Group has held a joint steel cutting and keel laying ceremony for the Portuguese Navy’s new multipurpose ship.

Portuguese Navy’s new multipurpose ship for USV, AUV, and UAS

“This is a ship with a revolutionary concept conceived by the Portuguese Navy. It is a multi-domain ship, specifically in the air, surface, and subsurface components. It can carry out numerous and varied missions, such as scientific research and experimentation related to drones and robotics, as well as support in emergency and disaster situations,” Chief of Portuguese Naval Staff Admiral Gouveia e Melo said.

The ship, the NRP Dom João II, features 650 square meter deck space, suitable for the transportation of up to twelve TEUs. These can be used to house mission-specific modular systems such as hospitals, hyperbaric chambers and ROV equipment, as required.

The 107-metre vessel is capable of transporting and launching unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV), unmanned surface vehicles (USV) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). For the latter, this includes a 94 x 11 metre flight deck.

To facilitate oceanic exploration and research, the multi-purpose ship will feature laboratory facilities and accommodation for scientific personnel. Read More …

Teledyne Marine Unveils Revolutionary Vertical Detection Mode for SeaBat T-Series Sonars

Teledyne Marine, a leader in subsea technology, announces a breakthrough innovation in sonar technology with the release of Vertical Detection Mode (VDM), a game-changing enhancement now available as a free upgrade for all SeaBat T-Series sonar systems. This new feature is set to revolutionize how vertical structures are detected underwater, providing precision like never before.

LINK: http://www.video.teledynemarine.com/video/95142230/seabat-t-series-vertical-detection

Traditional multibeam sonar systems have historically struggled with accurately detecting vertical structures, often facing issues such as multipath interference, which can degrade data quality. The typical bottom detection algorithms are not designed to handle the complexity of these environments effectively. However, with the introduction of VDM, Teledyne Marine has redefined the standard for vertical-structure surveys, delivering exceptional accuracy and improving data quality, particularly in environments challenged by multipath interference from structures like sheet pilings.

VDM is engineered to conquer these challenges with a ‘purist’ approach. Each detection is processed to stand on its own merit, independent of adjacent beams or historical data. This ensures that true features are captured without compromise, maintaining the integrity and detail of the vertical structures. Read More …

Exploring shallow lagoons with USV mapping technology

Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are increasingly being used for the mapping and management of shallow-water environments such as lagoons, rivers and estuaries, due to their economic and ecological benefits. The Gialova Lagoon wetland in south-west Peloponnesus, Greece, is particularly difficult to navigate using crewed vessels and was therefore studied using a USV to identify the bathymetry, morphology and submerged aquatic vegetation coverage of the lagoon’s floor. The USV platform was equipped with various devices, including sidescan sonars, single- and multibeam echosounders, environmental sensors and waterproof cameras. The USV successfully navigated the shallow waters of the lagoon and a ground-truthing survey was conducted based on the collected data.

The USV was equipped with the following systems: (i) a high-frequency (455 and 800kHz) sidescan sonar (SSS) and single-beam echosounder (SBES) system (Lowrance – Elite-5 Ti) for the insonification of the lagoon’s bottom, (ii) a digital high-resolution camcorder placed in a waterproof case for the ground-truthing data (real-time records and snapshots) and (iii) a real-time kinematic GPS (RTK GPS) (Emlid Reach M2) with greater than 10cm accuracy, used to position the USV relative to a base station on shore. Read More …

USS Stewart, WWII-era battleship, found intact off California coast

A U.S. Navy battleship sunk for training purposes following World War II has been found. The USS Stewart was deliberately sunk in 1946 off the coast of California, and later earned the nickname, “the ghost ship of the Pacific.” It was found 3,500 feet below the surface west of the California coast between Santa Rosa and San Francisco in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

USS Stewart – Sonar image and Photography

The announcement came in a joint statement from Ocean Infinity and SEARCH, an archeological company, who were both involved in the ship’s discovery.

“Preliminary sonar scans revealed that the Stewart is largely intact and that its hull—which remains sleek and imposing—rests nearly upright on the seafloor,” the statement reads. “This level of preservation is exceptional for a vessel of its age and makes it potentially one of the best-preserved examples of a US Navy ‘fourstacker’ destroyer known to exist.”

According to the U.S. Naval History and Heritage command, the USS Stewart was launched in 1920 and served across the globe across three different decades. Read More…

Shipwreck and Quay Wall Survey

The field survey was conducted in Tanjung Priok, Jakarta Bay, on 29th August 2024, using the NORBIT WINGHEAD i79h multibeam sonar.

The survey covered a submerged wreck and a heavily sedimented quay wall section.Utilising the portable NORBIT PORTUS Pole, the installation and system configuration took just over an hour.

The shipwreck was located approximately two nautical miles northeast of the port, at a depth of less than 10m. The quay wall, constructed on the eastern side of the port in 2014, showed significant sediment build up at its base, as captured by the high-resolution WINGHEAD i79h dataset. Read More …

HII’s Mission Technologies delivered two REMUS 620 to NOAA for enhanced high-resolution ocean floor mapping.

The REMUS 620 vehicles incorporate cutting-edge modular design and engineering. Like all the REMUS UUVs built by HII, the NOAA REMUS 620 vehicles have been modified with customized enhancements for NOAA’s advanced underwater mapping and habitat restoration missions. Upgrades include a Kraken synthetic aperture sonar module, additional energy module, and auxiliary equipment.

NOAA plans to use the REMUS 620 vehicles for high-resolution mapping in the Gulf of Mexico, with a focus on restoring Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities — or dim and sunlight-free seafloor habitats — injured by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

More than 600 REMUS UUVs have been sold globally and are in operation in more than 30 countries, including 14 NATO members. Over 90% of the vehicles delivered in the past 23 years are still operational today, demonstrating the platform’s durability and the ability to integrate new technologies as they are developed. Read More …

Italian new Submarine

Italian Navy Todaro-class (Type 212A) diesel-electric/AIP attack submarine with SDV cradle at La Spezia on September 10, 2024.

Looking for a Forward-looking sonar system?

Navigating the depths of underwater exploration can be challenging and the need for having a forward-looking sonar that can do the job even in murky waters is crucial.

However, finding the right forward-looking sonar can often feel like searching for a lighthouse in a thick fog. This is why we would like to give you our top reasons why a BlueView MK2 is a good choice and explain how it stands out in the competitive field of underwater imaging. Dive in with us to discover the wonders of the Blueview product line.

The BlueView Mk2 offers extensive customization to suit a variety of underwater operations. Customers can choose between single-frequency and dual-frequency systems, with the former operating at 900 kHz and the latter offering a combination of 900 kHz and 2250 kHz for diverse applications.

Additionally, the product is available in two depth variations: a 1000-meter-rated aluminum housing for standard operations and a robust 6000-meter-rated titanium housing for deep-sea exploration. It also features three connector variants to ensure compatibility with new and existing systems.

One of the standout features of the BlueView Mk2 is its dual-frequency capability, which allows users to switch between 900 kHz for general navigation and obstacle avoidance and 2250 kHz for close-up inspections and diver tracking.

This flexibility makes the BlueView Mk2 an exceptionally versatile tool for marine researchers and engineers who require detailed imaging close to the seafloor. Read More …

At Europe’s Atlantic edge, Ireland to focus on undersea monitoring

Ireland is doubling down on subsea monitoring, a discipline of naval warfare the country has so far largely overlooked but that represents a key capability in the context of the country’s strategic location on the northwestern edge of Europe.

The Irish government published its latest Defense Policy Review earlier this summer, which sets the posture of the national military forces in response to current security threats.

“Ireland’s security environment is undergoing a period of profound change; our geographic position and policy of military neutrality no longer minimize threats posed by malign actors,” the document stated.

The wider field of maritime security is among the listed priorities, for which the review recommends buying a naval surveillance radar and sonar capability to monitor undersea goings-on in the waters around the island. Read More …

Icebreaker Oden makes landmark journey to isolated fjord in North Greenland

The 2024 GEOEO North of Greenland Expedition, organized by the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat aboard the icebreaker Oden, has made history as the first vessel to reach the remote Victoria Fjord in North Greenland.

The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat leases the icebreaker Oden from the Swedish Maritime Administration for use during the summer season. With backing from the Swedish Research Council, additional funders and researchers from Swedish universities, the Secretariat has developed Oden into one of the world’s premier platforms for conducting polar research.

A small US team is onboard, contributing to the geophysical mapping programme by monitoring Oden‘s acoustic systems in eight-hour shifts. These systems, including the multibeam echosounder, sub-bottom profiler and scientific echosounders, provide vital geospatial data. The multibeam echosounder maps the seafloor, aiding in navigation and tracking glacier movements, the sub-bottom profiler examines sediment history, and the echosounders monitor biological activity. The acoustic doppler current profiler measures deep currents, providing essential data to support the biological, oceanographic and geochemical work of other research teams. Read More …

SeeByte and Kraken MOU

SeeByte Ltd (SeeByte) and Kraken Robotics Inc. (Kraken) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under which they will seek to enhance their complimentary system offerings to bring customers an integrated solution across maritime mission planning, data collection, and data analysis.

Kraken specializes in the delivery of advanced synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) for maritime platforms including uncrewed underwater vehicles of all sizes and the KATFISH™ towed SAS system.

SeeByte specializes in the development and supply of maritime software solutions including their SeeTrack Mission Management System (MMS), Neptune Autonomy System, and Automated Target Recognition (ATR).

The combined solution offers customers an integrated proven system for maritime operations that is competitive, readily available, and delivers a high-quality user experience. Read More …

HUGIN AUV set a new record

HUGIN Endurance reached another milestone by setting a record multi-week fully autonomous mission.

After receiving a final navigation update from a pre-deployed transponder 10 hours into the dive, the 8-ton, 40 ft, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) operated completely independent of all human interaction and with no external navigation aiding for the duration of the sortie.

This mission was conducted at depths ranging from 50m to 3400m and met the advertised 1,200 nautical mile range.

Most impressive of all, was that HUGIN Endurance returned with a position error of approximately 0.02% of total distance traveled!

The complex mission plan was designed to validate the design specifications of the AUV and put the vehicle through its paces in a real-world environment.

Saildrone USVs Conduct Gulf of Maine Seafloor Survey

Saildrone, using its Voyager uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), mapped 1,500 square nautical miles in the Gulf of Maine to retrieve key data from marine habitats.

Two Saildrone Voyager uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) conducted the survey in the north-central Gulf of Maine, an area that had not been previously mapped in high resolution, focusing on deep-sea corals.

High-quality mapping data from the Norbit MBES is key to locating deep-sea corals, which provide habitat for essential fisheries. The survey focused primarily on the Jordan and Georges Basins, at depths reaching up to 300 meters (900 feet). The collected data has revealed a diverse and intricate underwater landscape, shaped by its glacial past and ongoing oceanographic processes. Read More…

Archeological Survey of the Qian Dao Lake

A case study was conducted at Qian Dao Lake using the NORBIT WINGHEAD i77h. The NORBIT WINGHEAD i77h is a compact ultra-high resolution curved array broadband multibeam sonar. It offers tight integration with GNSS/INS (Applanix OceanMaster) and is designed for use in demanding operational environments.

The ancient underwater city of Shī Chéng (Chinese: 狮城, literally ‘Lion City’) is located in the lake.

The city of Shī Chéng is believed to have been built during the Tang Dynasty in 621 AD, making it nearly 1,400 years old. Based on records of the region’s history, it is thought to have been quite large, possibly over 60 football fields.

Due to the modernisation of Zhejiang province, a hydroelectric dam was built in 1959, flooding the valley where the ancient city was located. Read More …

Sea lions help scientists map southern Australia’s seafloor

In southern Australia, scientists have enlisted an unexpected team of helpers to map the ocean floor – and the sea lions have done their job well. Six different marine habitats were captured – including algal meadows and reefs – that make up southern Australia’s seabed, researchers report in a recently published study.

Our understanding of seabed habitats is limited, but video data from remotely operated vehicles and underwater cameras is starting to fill the gaps. However, these vessel-based surveys are time-consuming, expensive and challenging, especially in remote or deep-sea areas. To tackle this, an Australian research team devised an innovative solution that exceeded expectations. The researchers fitted small, lightweight video cameras and movement trackers on eight adult female Australian sea lions. The team had two goals: to understand the habitats and food critical for the endangered species, and to map the little-known seafloor off southern Australia’s coast. Read More …

Rip Current

These strong water currents sweep the bathers deep into the sea in a short time. Although the phenomenon has been known for many years, their research was mainly based on aerial photographs due to the difficulty of measuring in an area with waves and strong currents.

Now, with the revolutionary airborne Topo-Bathymetric LiDAR technology (and a little luck on the day of the flight) we could monitor the phenomenon in high resolution and present it in 3D.

Russian submarine designer predicts uncrewed future

One of Russia’s top submarine designers projected a future for naval operations that envisions masses of drones across domains, hosted by motherships and operating in swarms against adversaries.

Acknowledging the development of platforms like the Boeing Orca XLUUV (Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle), Anduril Ghost Shark AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) and the Northrop Grumman Manta Ray UUV (Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle), he thinks the future is uncrewed. ‘Robotics’, he said, pointing to the Rubin Design Bureau’s own development program for platforms like the Argus, as it unveiled the latest concept of the platform at the exhibition.

Argus Concept with AUV and Charging Station

he Argus-D has a length of 8.9 metres with a diameter of 1 metre, weighs 5.5 tons and can be transported in a standard 40-foot container. Incorporating an obstacle avoidance system, the AUV can go up to a speed of 6 knots (3.0 m/s) with a diving depth of 1 kilometre than can be increased to 3 kilometres. Seabed operations are enabled by forward-looking sonars, Doppler Velocity Log and altimeters. Open architecture allows the Argus-D to be interoperable with other developers’ systems and the design not only allows it to be tailored to customer requirements but also offers easy access to sub-systems and the battery for fast maintenance. Read More …

Russia to Develop ASW Variant of Project 22800 Corvette to Secure SSBN Deployment

Project 22800 Karakurt-class corvettes will become the basis for the development of small antisubmarine warfare ships. They will reliably defend the Russian coast from adversary submarines. The small ships will make it difficult to track Russian nuclear ballistic missile submarines close to the naval bases where they are the most vulnerable, the Izvestia daily writes.

SW ship based on the Project 22800 “Karakurt” missile boat. This ship, built using entirely domestic components at three shipyards, has been a favored platform among military experts for years.

The “Army-2024” forum introduced the Project 28000-E, a small ASW ship based on the “Karakurt.” Unlike its predecessor, this ship features several key design changes, including a hull-mounted sonar array, a modified power plant with four water-jet engines, and a reduced top speed from 32 to 26 knots.

However, the ship compensates for this with new capabilities, such as the “Paket-NK” anti-torpedo system and a modular payload that can include unmanned underwater vehicles for mine countermeasures.

This transformation of the missile boat into an ASW corvette enables the ship to monitor large maritime areas acoustically, engage enemy submarines independently, or guide naval aviation to their targets. Read More …

Kraken Robotics presents MINSAS

Kraken Robotics MINSAS, a versatile Miniature Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) payload offering a cost-effective alternative to high-end side scan sonar systems. MINSAS delivers significantly enhanced resolution, extended range, and 3D Bathymetry, boasting best-in-class Area Coverage Rates (ACR) at depths up to 6000 m.

MINSAS provides Ultra High Definition (UHD) constant resolutions of 3 cm x 3 cm or 2 cm x 2 cm (post processing) up to 200 meters per side. What sets MINSAS apart is its versatility, seamlessly integrating with various underwater platforms and vehicles. Its modular array system is adaptable to different vehicle sizes and unique mission requirements, with array lengths ranging from 60 cm to 180 cm.

Pictured here is HII Unmanned Systems new REMUS 620 autonomous underwater vehicle outfitted with a Kraken MINSAS module. Read More …

Russia unveils new Argus underwater drone

|The Autonomous Underwater Vehicle concept can operate in swarms to map the seabed and monitor undersea infrastructure like oil and gas pipelines

The Argus AUV is a multi-mission concept for offshore field exploration designed for underwater surveys, monitoring, sentry, search, and salvage operations. According to Deputy CEO for Foreign Economic Activities at the Rubin Design Bureau, Andrei Baranov, “In fact, Argus’ capabilities are much wider: vehicles of this type can be used for searching shipwrecks, sunken aircraft, equipment lost at sea and even for marine archaeology.”

For example, the Argus AUV could be deployed to ‘explore subsea natural resources, collect data on the bottom structure’ and the environmental conditions of the waters’, according to a statement by the Rubin Design Bureau.

Further applications include surveys of underwater locations for the ‘laying of pipelines’, monitoring the ‘health of the seabed equipment’ to detect possible oil or gas leaks, ‘locate insulation damage’ and identify the ‘free span of the subsea pipeline or a pipe shift from original position.’

The Argus can also play the role of a sentry that can detect alien object near pipelines or other underwater infrastructure and report its presence to a mother ship, and according to Rubin, can deploy on salvage operations to search for lost objects including those under silt or the seabed.

The bureau says the submarine drone can operate in swarms of up to five AUVs, to reduce time and costs of missions like mapping a large seabed area.

Each Argus AUV itself weighs 3.2 tons with a length of 5.6m and a hull with a diameter that’s 1m wide. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, sections of the AUV can detach for multi-tasking for different missions. The Argus uses coded communication to stay in touch with its mother ship on the surface and other AUVs and uses VHF, satellite communication or WiFi while surfaced.

The vehicle can dive up to 6,000m, with an endurance of 24 hours and a cruising speed of 3 knots that could be increased to 8 knots. Its customized Launch and Recovery System (LARS) allows it to operate in Sea State 4 conditions with waves up to 2.5m high.
Read More …

AUV Completes Deep-Water Trials at 2,000m

The ecoSUBm25-Science AUV from ecoSUB Robotics has completed a spiral behavior trial to provide vertical profiling of the water column down to 2,000m depth, and back again.

This is very interesting and affordable platform, mainly for scientific applications.

The ecoSUBm25-Science AUV was equipped with a CTD and a Chelsea Technologies TriLux sensor, providing measurements of Conductivity, Temperature, Chlorophyll, Turbidity and Phycoerythrin.

The m25 platform is also capable of hosting sensors to measure Dissolved Oxygen, CDOM, pH, Oil in Water, as well as navigation sensors such as altimeters and DVL, along with acoustic coms for underwater communications. Read More …

Pentagon reveals 5 more funded RDER projects, including a top Marine priority

The Pentagon’s Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve has successfully transitioned at least seven technology projects to the services so far, from high-altitude balloons to underwater communications, including five that were not previously linked to the high-speed acquisition effort.from robot boats to a multi-domain targeting node.

One of the projects are the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC). This is a small unmanned speedboat, about 16 feet long, now in service with a Navy Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron out of Coronado, Calif. Shyu’s staff describes GARC a “low-cost, attritable platform” that can be configured for a wide variety of missions, such as intelligence, electronic warfare, and communications. Read More …

Anduril Delivers Autonomous Submarine To United States

Ghost Shark, Anduril’s advanced Extra-Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (XL-AUV), has arrived in the United States for the first time. With the first Ghost Shark currently in Australia, this milestone will expand the test envelope for Ghost Shark by enabling concurrent testing on both sides of the Pacific and be available for collaboration with U.S. government partners.

Designed and built in Australia, this Ghost Shark arrived in the United States via trans-pacific flight by a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17A, showcasing its rapid and agile expeditionary capabilities. The vehicle was transported to coincide with Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), one of the world’s largest maritime exercises held near the Hawaiian Islands to ensure the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.

Ghost Shark is designed to support subsea maritime missions globally. Ghost Shark is a modular, multi-purpose capability that can adapt to mission requirements, serving as an agile force multiplier. In a new era of strategic competition, a credible naval deterrent force is essential. Developing and fielding autonomous underwater capabilities at scale is critical to maintaining strategic deterrence, and Ghost Shark delivers that capability.

Recently, Anduril Australia unveiled the first Ghost Shark prototype a year ahead of schedule and on budget. Early production and testing have been crucial for rapid learning and iteration, enabling Anduril to deliver an operationally relevant capability at the speed required to defeat and deter the emergent threats. Anduril is leveraging technology from its proprietary AUV capability and its Lattice AI-powered software platform to develop Ghost Shark. Read More …

China Launches Its Most Sophisticated Submarine to Date

A Chinese shipyard in Wuhan has launched a submarine which is likely to be the country’s most advanced non-nuclear type. The new boat is larger than existing ones and is the first in the country to feature X-form rudders. There are indications that it may have a vertical launch system (VLS).

The submarine is probably a derivative of the Type-039A-C Yuan class. This is the main conventionally powered (non-nuclear) submarine in service with the Chinese Navy. China is currently producing an export variant of these at the same shipyard for Pakistan as Hangor class. The current model in series production for the PLAN is the Type-039C which features a distinctive stealthily shaped sail. (Similar to Swedish Blekinge Class).

The new submarine has similar proportions to its forward section as the Yuan. This suggests that the forward hull, with its sonar and torpedo room, is similar. Behind the sail, it appears significantly longer, however, and is differentiated by x-form rudders.

The increased hull length may indicate the addition of a vertical launch system (VLS) for missiles. This is an increasingly important consideration in submarines but is less common in non-nuclear submarines which are generally smaller. The South Korean KSS-III and Israeli Drakon Class have set the trend in non-nuclear submarines. If this new submarine does have a VLS behind the sail it can likely accommodate between four and eight missiles, depending on their diameter. Read More …

Modern Mine Countermeasures

Mine Countermeasures (MCM) are an important element of naval mine warfare worldwide. Effective MCM involves classification, verification and neutralisation of mines through modern technology. MCM operational functions are managed through a combination of resources such as minehunting, minesweeping, defensive minelaying and clearance diving.

Modernised state-of-the-art systems are designed to be seamlessly integrated with on-board and off-board sensors. These systems include a broad spectrum of uncrewed Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) ranging from remotely operated surface vessels to autonomous underwater vehicles. Extensive use of automated platforms and combat management technology maximises the naval crew efficiency.

To date, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) employs several mine warfare forces capable of deployment as required to support Australia’s strategic interests and objectives. These forces include:

Mine Warfare and Clearance diving (MCD) task group,
Huon Class Coastal Minehunters (MHC),
Minesweepers,
Clearance Diving Teams (CDT),
Naval Reserve Diving Teams,
Maritime Geospatial Deployable Support Team (MGDST), and
Naval Reserve Mine Warfare Groups.

Each of these MCM ships and units require a radical transition: from traditional mine hunting to the use of RAS platforms. The advancement of RAS has been the catalyst to “keep the person out of the minefield”. The development of sovereign capability underpins the long-term security and prosperity of Australia and the surrounding regions. The use of RAS increases the Australian industry capability and capacity, whilst supporting small businesses through the delivery and sustainment of leading-edge technology.

BlueZone Group is an Australian owned SME with over 20 years’ experience in equipment sales, specialist engineering skill and experience in Defence for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS). This capability combined with a successful track record in completing major projects has earnt BlueZone an enviable reputation in the Defence sector. BlueZone’s knowledge and experience actively supports Australian Defence to enhance, sustain and service RAS platforms. Collaboration with world leading manufacturers contributes to the strength, sustainment and security of the Australian defence industry. Read More ….

Hundreds of sea drones the US Navy is experimenting with overseas

Cheaply made but relatively effective, sea drones are reshaping naval warfare tactics in conflicts around the globe.

Ukraine’s navy turned the tide in the Black Sea, taking out Russian frigates and minesweepers with remote-controlled Jet-Ski-style speed boats loaded with explosives.

Houthi rebels are targeting commercial vessels and US warships in the Red Sea with bomb-laden drone boats, though many of the drones have been intercepted by the US and allied forces.

Israel’s navy deployed unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), including a 30-foot rigid-hulled inflatable boat called the Protector, to intercept enemy boats and protect its coastline.

The US Navy is jumping in too. The service is experimenting with sea drones in combat environments to expand its hybrid manned-unmanned fleet at a faster pace and lower cost. Each naval drone costs between $1 million and $3 million.

Sea drones are deployed in combat to gather intelligence, conduct surveillance and reconnaissance, sweep mines, and protect critical underwater infrastructure.

Coming in a variety of designs, sizes, and capabilities, military sea drones can range from armed speedboats to minehunting miniature submarines. They can be equipped with high-definition cameras and advanced sonar to help them navigate murky depths.

Sea drones also protect crewed vessels in the fleet like aircraft carriers and submarines, acting as a first line of defense in hostile territories.

Through the Pentagon’s Replicator initiative announced in August 2023, the US Department of Defense plans to field thousands of low-cost drones over the next two years to counter threats on land, in the air, and at sea.

Replicator is a fast-track effort to field and deploy thousands of combat drones within two years and at a scale that could threaten an adversary like China.

“Ukraine has shown how effective they can be and how they can be employed in current operations,” Bryan Clark, a former US Navy officer and advisor on autonomous craft, told Reuters.

The US Navy is operating about 200 sea drones in counting — 100 small drones on the surface and another 100 underwater. Read More …

USV Fleet Deployed at Dogger Bank D Offshore Wind Farm Site for Geophysical Survey

A multibeam echosounder (MBES) geophysical survey of the Dogger Bank D offshore wind site, using several uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).

XOCEAN will deploy multiple USVs to survey the wind turbine array site and the export cable route. The USVs will be mobilised from Scarborough or Hartlepool Harbour where each vessel will be escorted out of the harbour limits, before transiting to the survey area. Read More …

How naval vessels can manage and deploy an array of assets in double time

Modern naval vessels must be able to quickly deploy and retrieve an array of marine robots, such as AUVs, underwater ROVs, and USVs, as well as handle manned craft and cargo. Kongsberg Maritime’s new Mission Bay Handling System is specially designed to help naval vessels achieve this while incorporating traditional mission bay tasks.

Saildrone sets sail on Cayman Islands ocean mapping project

Saildrone, a recognized innovator in ocean data collection through autonomous uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), has initiated an unprecedented mission to map 29,300 square nautical miles (100,530 sq km) of the Cayman Islands’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) using a 20-metre Saildrone Surveyor USV.

The Saildrone Surveyor, outfitted with the latest multibeam echosounders, metocean sensors, radar, cameras, and advanced machine learning, offers a swift and cost-effective alternative to traditional survey ships. With only 26% of the ocean mapped globally, Saildrone’s innovative approach addresses the pressing need for more comprehensive ocean mapping. Read More …

Industry leaders join Bedrock’s AUV trials for ocean exploration

Bedrock Ocean Exploration, a pioneer in autonomous subsea survey and data delivery technologies, has unveiled its active Proof of Technology programme. This initiative started this spring and will continue over the course of this summer to showcase the company’s latest generation of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), including advancements in autonomous ocean exploration sensors and systems. This demonstrates the significant strides that Bedrock has made in subsea mapping technology.

BedRock AUV and Data (Sidescan, Magnetometer and Sub-bottom Profiler)

In a strong endorsement of Bedrock’s technology, ten organizations – ranging from major offshore wind developers and marine engineering firms to surveyors, cultural resource management and maritime archaeology companies – have already committed to participating in the programme. These are Ørsted, Avangrid, Equinor, Geo SubSea, S.T. Hudson Engineers, SEARCH, RECON Offshore, the University of West Florida and NV5. Their involvement highlights the industry’s recognition of the importance of advanced technological solutions to support sustainable and efficient ocean development and critical infrastructure.

Bedrock Ocean Exploration made a pivotal move in December 2023 towards its goal of operating a fleet of AUVs. These AUVs are designed to be powerful tools for seafloor mapping, offering sub-metre-resolution bathymetry, high-definition sidescan imaging and the ability to detect subtle magnetic variations – all while ensuring the safety of marine mammals. However, to collect such detailed data, each AUV must stay close to the seafloor, limiting its daily coverage area. Recognizing this, Bedrock’s vision has always been to deploy a coordinated fleet of AUVs that work in unison to precisely map much larger sections of the seafloor. Read More …

Australia and Anduril jointly invest to promote Ghost Shark production

With its new nuclear-powered submarines years away from fructifying into any sort of capability, Australia is pouring money into extra-large autonomous underwater vehicles (XL-AUV) that will help take up the underwater slack.

The first vessel was unveiled on 18 April, a year ahead of schedule, while the third should be delivered by mid-2025.

“The Ghost Shark programme will provide a long-range autonomous capability that can perform advanced intelligence, surveillance reconnaissance and targeting operations, providing significant potential for asymmetric advantage in high-risk environments. Ghost Shark will provide stealth, disruptive mass and persistence, optimised for the Indo-Pacific archipelagic environment.”

The boxy, black-coloured Ghost Shark is based on Anduril’s 2.72-tonne and 5.8m-long Dive-LD submersible, this design inherited after Anduril acquired Dive Technologies in 2022. The Dive-LD can stay submerged for ten days and dive to 6,000m. Anduril is also supplying the type to the US Navy after winning a competition last year. Read More …

Surveying Artificial Reefs

Artificial reefs allow for sea life to recover from a decline in habitat. These reefs act as a recruitment, growth and resting zone for fish species and other sea life.

The image above shows an Algae Table – seen from above this looks like a large chocolate bar, however these concrete plates are designed for small critters to grow on to.

Artificial reef structures come in all shapes and sizes; giving species places to hide, allowing to live off the seafloor from predatory species, or providing a substrate to grow on. Here are a few examples:

Artificial Reefs – Credit Teledyne-RESON

The survey was performed using SeaBat T51, which is currently the highest resolution Multibeam Echosounder on the market. Read More …

Protecting Critical Subsea Infrastructure: north.io’s Argus Project Secures €2.4 Million Federal Grant

Geospatial cloud specialist north.io has been awarded a €2.4 million grant for the “Argus” project for underwater big data analytics in the context of critical underwater infrastructure.

In light of recent incidents such as the attacks on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which have highlighted the vulnerability offshore infrastructure.

FILE PHOTO: Gas leak from Nord Stream 2 pipeline as seen from an Danish F-16 interceptor jet over Bornholm island, Denmark, September 27, 2022. Danish Defence Command/Forsvaret Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS/File Photo

“Protecting critical submarine infrastructure is of crucial importance. Submarine cables and pipelines play an essential role for communication, energy supply and the exchange of digital services. Their security ensures not only uninterrupted essential services, it also protects against potential security threats and economic losses that could result from damage or sabotage. The “Argus” project can make a major contribution to enhancing security. It can detect possible attacks in time by comparing the collected data with the situation under water at the time.” Read More ….

Scientists Discover Mysterious Patterns on Ice Shelf Bottom

Using the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Ran underneath 350 m thick ice, an international team of researchers created the very first detailed maps of the underside of a glacier, revealing clues to future sea level rise.

This mission was carried out as part of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC), a five-year, $50 million joint U.S. and U.K. mission to learn more about Thwaites Glacier, its past, and what the future may hold.

The AUV Ran was programmed to dive into the cavity of Dotson ice shelf, West Antarctica and scan the ice above it with an advanced sonar. For 27 days, the uncrewed submersible traveled a total of over 1,000 kilometers back and forth under the glacier, reaching 17 kilometers into the cavity above which the ice shelf floats.

The autonomous underwater vehicle Ran was programmed to perform missions under the ice shelf. An advanced multibeam sonar was used to map the base of the ice at a distance of about 50 meters. (Illustration: Anna Wåhlin/Science Advances)

The upward-looking sonar data from Ran enabled more extensive, detailed maps of the underside of an ice shelf to be made than have ever been available before. This has provided new insights into the interactions between the ice, fractures within it and water flowing beneath it

Voyis and Canada’s Ocean Supercluster collaborate on pioneering OASIS Project

The OASIS Project, funded by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster’s UK Collaborative Ocean Innovation Solutions program, in partnership with Innovate UK, this groundbreaking initiative aims to transform marine environmental surveys. By uniting the expertise of Canadian and UK ocean technology specialists, the OASIS Project promises to set new standards in marine conservation and innovation.

The OASIS Project, which stands for Over-horizon Awareness of Seafloor Imaging Surveys, addresses the pressing need for efficient and cost-effective monitoring solutions in the face of escalating demands for sustainable ocean resource management. With both Canadian and UK governments committed to defining Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and bolstering environmental regulations, the need for advanced monitoring technologies has never been more urgent.

The project comprises a consortium of esteemed partners, including Voyis, the University of Southampton, AutoNaut, and the National Oceanography Center (NOC). In partnership with the University of Southampton Voyis will enhance its imaging products with onboard machine learning and remote survey awareness capabilities. This high-end technology will be integrated into the NOC’s Autosub autonomous underwater vehicle, enabling remote over-the-horizon seafloor image surveys through the AutoNaut wave-powered USV. Read More …

US Navy Receives Stealth Sub Detector Sonar

Thales subsidiary Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC) has delivered the first CAPTAS-4 variable-depth sonar for the US Navy’s Constellation-class guided-missile frigates.

CAPTAS 4 Active Towed Array Sonar System

Prime contractor Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) awarded the contract in May 2022 after the navy ended Raytheon’s AN/SQS-62 variable-depth sonar development, which was to originally equip the Constellation class.

The AN/SQS-62 could not be integrated with the Freedom-class littoral combat ship, the Constellation’s predecessor, due to problems with hydrodynamic stability and transducer reliability.

Widely used by navies for anti-submarine warfare, the CAPTAS-4 will help the Constellation-class frigates detect, locate, classify, and track increasingly stealthy submarines.

Some of the anti-submarine warfare frigates currently equipped with CAPTAS-4 include the Royal Navy Type 23 and Type 26 class, the French Navy FREMM and FDI class, the Spanish F110s, and Italian FREMMs. Read More …

Unprecedented 3D scanning brings Titanic shipwreck to life

Magellan, a deep-sea mapping company, and Atlantic Productions, a British television company, have embarked on an ambitious collaboration to conduct a comprehensive scan of the RMS Titanic. This iconic British passenger liner, which tragically sank in 1912, serves as the centrepiece of an upcoming documentary by Atlantic Productions. Undertaken in 2022, this arduous venture delved into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, unveiling the secrets concealed within the Titanic’s decaying remains.

*The scan of the Titanic incorporates 700,000 images that were captured by submersibles. (Image courtesy: Atlantic Productions/Magellan)*

To achieve this remarkable feat, Magellan deployed a flotilla of remotely operated submarine robots from a specialized ship. These robots meticulously scanned the deteriorating structure of the Titanic for over 200 hours, braving the frigid, pitch-black waters of the Atlantic seabed, which lay 3,800 metres below the surface. The survey encountered the challenges posed by underwater currents while meticulously avoiding any disturbance or harm to the liner’s rust-covered remnants.

The fleet of robots captured a staggering 700,000 images, which were subsequently used to construct a precise 3D representation of the shipwreck. Read More …

Multi Domain Underwater Sensors

This post shows collage of images showcasing the versatility and precision of high-tech equipment un derwater sensors! This composite photo demonstrates how the same target can be visualized using different advanced tools, each offering unique insights tailored to specific survey needs.

Multi Domain Underwater Sensor Technology

Magnetometer: Detects magnetic anomalies to locate ferrous objects, such as shipwrecks or underwater cables, providing critical data for archaeological and industrial applications.

SideScan Sonar: Captures detailed images of the seafloor, perfect for identifying objects and mapping large areas efficiently.

Interferometric Sonar: Provides high coverage in shallow waters, decreasing the survey times while also providing data complying with IHO standards

Subbottom Profiler: Penetrates beneath the seafloor to reveal sediment layers and buried objects, invaluable for geological and environmental studies.

Multibeam Echo-sounder: Delivers high-resolution 3D maps of the seafloor, ideal for detailed bathymetric surveys and habitat mapping.

The Marine Research team prides itself on not only possessing cutting-edge technology but also the expertise to deliver precise and reliable results tailored to our client’s needs. Our dedicated professionals ensure every survey is conducted with the highest standards of accuracy and efficiency.

Constanta’s Sunken Secrets

The 174.1 meter cargo ship Paris, encountered one of the most violent storms on the seaward side of the Constanta Port north breakwater on January 4, 1995. The vessel, arriving empty from Piraeus, Greece, and anchored about 3.8 miles from the breakwater, was waiting to load approximately 25,000 tons of urea. The severe storm, with waves reaching 10 meters, coupled with technical issues, caused the ship to drift and strike the breakwater, ultimately leading to its sinking. Tragically, all 27 crew members on board lost their lives.

The attached bathymetric photo showcases the Paris shipwreck. The vibrant colors represent varying depths, with the intricate details of the ship’s damaged structure clearly visible. This image not only highlights the technological prowess involved in marine exploration but also underscores the enduring allure of underwater archaeology. The Paris shipwreck has also become a popular dive site, attracting divers eager to explore its haunting remains and uncover the stories it holds.

Multibeam Bathymetric Measurements: Teledyne Marine Reson Seabat T51-R

These tools enable us to map the seafloor with remarkable precision and accuracy, providing invaluable data for researchers and historians alike. Read More …

Wreck of MV Noongah Identified

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has helped confirm the resting place of motor vessel (MV) Noongah, a 71-metre coastal freighter lost at sea in 1969 in one of the nation’s worst post-war maritime disasters.

MV Noongah was travelling between Newcastle and Townsville carrying steel when it encountered a storm and sank in heavy seas on 25 August 1969.

The loss of MV Noongah led to one of the largest searches for survivors in Australian maritime history, involving navy and merchant vessels, aircraft, helicopters and shore-based searches of beaches along the coast.

Tragically, 21 of the 26 crew on board lost their lives in the incident. Only one body was ever recovered and the wreck of MV Noongah had never been found.

The location of the wreck has now been confirmed through a collaborative project between CSIRO, Heritage NSW and The Sydney Project. Read More …

ITALIAN NAVY ORDERS FIVE NEW GENERATION MINE HUNTING SHIPS

Intermarine S.p.A. (part of the IMMSI Group) and Leonardo S.p.A. formalized a contract with NAVARM, the Italian Directorate of Naval Armaments of the General Secretariat of Defense and National Armaments Directorate. This contract, signed as a Temporary Consortium (RTI), involves the supply of five New Generation Coastal Minehunters (CNG/C) and related logistical support.

LEFT: The existing Lerici-class and Gaeta-class RIGHT: New Generation Coastal Minehunters

The naval units will be produced at Intermarine’s shipyards in Sarzana (La Spezia), leading to significant employment growth and an increase in the company’s workforce. Leonardo will produce and supply the entire combat system, including the cyber-resilient SADOC 4 command and control system, advanced radar and electro-optical sensors, a new broadband mine detection and classification sonar, and an integrated multi-band communication and data link system to ensure effective interoperability. Read More …

The New Generation Minehunters will be able to perform a wide spectrum of missions. In addition to the constabulary roles of search and clearance operations, the modern assets will carry on the so-called seabed surveillance operations for the control and protection of critical underwater infrastructures (i.e. oil & gas pipelines and maritime data networks) and the protection of cultural heritage and the marine environment.

Safety with sonar

By allowing vessels to ‘see’ what is in the water ahead, FarSounder’s Argos Forward-Looking Sonar products make for substantially safer navigation, particularly in waters in which navigation chart data is incomplete or missing altogether. This is especially advantageous to vessels such as superyachts, which can use FarSounder’s technology to take guests into increasingly remote anchorages safely. Read More …

First vessel of Belgian-Dutch rMCM program conducts sea trials

The first of the series of mine countermeasures vessels in the Belgian/Dutch rMCM program, intended for the Belgian Navy, began its first sea trials.

This is the next generation fo MCM Vessels, with focus on remote MCM operations, using a combination of USVs, AUVs and ROVs.

The mine countermeasures vessels will use a fully robotized system to detect, classify, identify, and neutralize mines. They can withstand underwater explosions and have very low acoustic, electrical and magnetic signatures, in line with the missions to be carried out. Read More …

Green Submarine

The Green Ocean submarine, also known as the Type 09-I or Sinpo-C, is a new addition to North Korea’s Navy.

Its exact capabilities are unknown, but it is believed to have the following features:
* Size: 60-80 meters long, 6-7 meters in diameter, and 1,500-2,000 tons displacement
* Propulsion: Diesel-electric system with an estimated speed of 20-25 knots
* Armament: Torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and possibly mines; may also carry a cruise missile or ballistic missile
* Stealth technology: Reduced acoustic signature and possibly an anechoic coating or other stealth materials to reduce radar cross-section
* Comparison: Considered a coastal defense submarine, smaller and less capable than modern attack subs like the Virginia-class or Akula-class, but likely more advanced than North Korea’s Romeo-class submarines
* Notable features: Built for quiet operation and stealth, allowing it to operate in confined spaces and launch surprise attacks; North Korea claims it has advanced capabilities including long-range missiles and reconnaissance missions. Read More…

Discover SLAMF – The French Navy’s New Unmanned Mine Warfare System

This system combines unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) and unmanned surface vehicles (USV) and will enable sailors to operate outside of the mine field.

The SLAMF program will replace all legacy mine warfare platforms (Tripartite-class mine hunters, sonar towing vessels, diver support vessels). The SLAMF program will help secure the deployment of the French Navy’s strategic units (nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines and aircraft carrier) and protect access to French ports. It can also support the deployment of a naval action force, secure the evacuation of nationals by sea, participate in crisis prevention or intervene in a contested environment.

This first part of the SLAMF program (known as MMCM in the UK), is the result of a Franco-British cooperation and is part of the Lancaster House military agreement (2010). The contract for the design, development and production of the prototypes (one per country) was signed in March 2015 between Thales and OCCAR on behalf of the two countries.

Each SLAMF system is composed of two USVs, one equipped with a towed sonar and the other with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and two UAVs, responsible for detecting, classifying and locating mines. The remotely operated robot (MUMMS by Saab) is used to identify and neutralize mines. Exail, a Thales subcontractor, produces the UUVs equipped with Thales sonars. Read More …

TNO develops a detection system to protect cables and pipelines on seabed

TNO has developed a method to automatically detect maritime traffic in the vicinity of subsea infrastructure. Using redundant optical fibres in fibre-optic cables, also known as dark fibres, as sensors makes it possible to pick up vibrations from maritime traffic. TNO has successfully tested a method, which allows a large area along the path of cables and pipelines, to be monitored in order to prevent intentional or unintentional damage.

Using commercial fiber optical cables for underwater surveillance (TNO)

Specialists with geophysical expertise (including earthquake detection) from the Geological Survey of the Netherlands (part of TNO) have conducted successful tests in the North Sea. Using a wind-farm power cable and a telecommunication cable that runs to the United Kingdom (more than 100 km long) as sensors, data was obtained, and maritime traffic close to these cables was detected. Read More….

Ukrainian Naval Drones struck 4 Russian ships through remote mining.

This is the first example of successful remote mining in the world. The Sea Baby Naval Drones planted over 15 underwater mines near the waters of the Crimean Peninsula. As a result, the Ukraine hit at least four enemy ships. The explosives were placed on routes exclusively used by the occupiers’ military ships.

Ukrainian USV is used for remote minelaying

Vigilant FLS 600 3D Forward Looking Sonar

Vigilant FLS 600 is a compact navigation and obstacle avoidance sonar creating a real-time, easy to interpret 3D terrain map of the seabed with automated alarms warning of objects in the water column ahead.

Vigilant has two principal operating modes: 3D and Sonar mode, both of which offer a class leading 120 degrees field of view on all range scales. Vigilant’s unique patented technology allows 3D mode to provide stunning 3D depth imagery, at ranges in excess of 20 times the prevailing water depth up to a maximum 600 m range and down to 100 m depth. Sonar mode processes the intensity of the acoustic data to extract long-range positional data of objects up to ranges of 600 m. Data from both modes are used to automatically generate alerts for the operator or supervising system to warn of the presence of a navigationally relevant obstacle.

Wavefront Vigilante 600 3D Sonar

With its history mapping capability, a picture of the underwater environment surrounding the vessel is built up. This provides crews and autonomous systems with maximum situational awareness for collision or ground avoidance, tight maneuvers, or backing out of confined areas.

Speaking about this milestone for the Vigilant FLS 600, Paul Badger, Wavefront Managing Director, said ‘Vigilant FLS 600 bridges the gap from UUV, AUV and ASV applications all the way through to mega yachts and cruise ships to deliver high resolution navigational imaging and long range obstacle avoidance’. Read More …

How USVs and Multibeam Echosounders are Revolutionizing Underwater Surveying

Underwater surveying plays a critical role in various aspects of our world. From enabling safe navigation for ships and charting underwater resources to monitoring coastal erosion and underwater environments and inspecting infrastructure like pipelines and cables laid across submerged areas, these surveys are vital. However, traditional surveying methods are often expensive, time-consuming, and limited by factors like water depth and visibility.

Fortunately, technological advancements are revolutionizing this field. Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) coupled with Multibeam echosounders (MBES) are ushering in a new era of underwater surveying, providing high-resolution 3D maps of the seabed.

The integration of USVs and MBES is a significant leap forward, transforming underwater surveying and paving the way for a more sustainable future for our oceans. Let’s dive into a specific example of how USVs and MBES are used for underwater pipeline surveys. Read More …

Swedish Submarine Södermanland Re-Launched Following Lifetime Extension

Submarine HSwMS Södermanland together with three of the newer Gotland-class make up Sweden’s small but potent force of air-independent submarines, and are a key capability for the Swedish Navy as well as for the Swedish Armed Forces as a whole.

Originally built in the late 1980’s as part of the four-strong Västergötland-class of conventional diesel-electric submarines, she and since-mothballed sister HSwMS Östergötland underwent an extensive mid-life update at the start of the millennium. This included lengthening the hull and installing air-independent Stirling-machinery, as well as upgrading a number of sub-systems to give combat capability on par with the more modern Gotland-class. The two other sisters eventually came to undergo a somewhat similar upgrade, as part of being sold to Singapore where they currently serve as the Archer-class.

NOTE: HSwMS Södermanland was the first Swedish Submarine equipped with Flank Array Sonar System.

As part of the original timeline, the HSwMS Södermanland would have been retired by now, but a combination of delays to the Blekinge-class and the increasingly tense security situation following the occupation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has seen an increased focus on the Swedish submarine fleet, with a decision to give all three of the Gotland-class vessels a mid-life update (as opposed to the originally planned two), as well as the decision to extend the lifespan of the HSwMS Södermanland, allowing it to serve up to 2030. Read More …

Exail, RTsys and ABYSSA Connect on Ocean Floor Mapping

Exail, RTsys, and ABYSSA announced a strategic partnership in the CARMA (Mineral resources mapping by AUVs swarms) project. Co-funded by Bpifrance under the #France2030 initiative and designed to advance knowledge of great depths, the CARMA project focuses on developing swarms of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for efficient ocean floor mapping.

Exail will improve the capabilities of its deep-water AUV A18-D to serve as the leading AUV to guide the swarm. Improvements will enable navigation down to 3,000 meters, at close altitude from the seabed over sloped terrains, and to accurately geolocate swarm’s acquired data. RTsys will extend the capabilities of its newly developed AUV COMET-3000 to dive up to 3,000 meters. Multiple units will be provided to act as followers, along with the development of an innovative launch and recovery system for the AUV swarm. ABYSSA will focus on developing exploration strategies for deep-water swarms of AUVS. Additionally, ABYSSA will process the magnetic data collected to map the magnetic anomalies on the seabed. Read More …

Patent Granted for Acoustic Sensors to Track Buried Objects

Argeo has been awarded a patent for using acoustic sensors for tracking buried pipelines/objects below the seafloor, protecting a specific use of acoustic sensors on AUVs

The patent protects an innovative use of acoustic sensors on AUVs to follow an object even when it is buried. The innovation is a solution to the challenge of following a pipeline with an AUV.

The method can be combined with Argeo’s electromagnetic sensor system, Argeo Listen, to acoustically track a buried pipeline while simultaneously inspecting the pipeline and measuring its electromagnetic field. Read More …

Thales test hull-mounted sonar Naval Group XL-UUV demonstrator

The passive, omnidirectional sonar will be considered as part of France’s Uncrewed Combat Underwater Vehicle program.

Naval Group’s concept for France’s Uncrewed Combat Underwater Vehicle (UCUV) program. Credit: Thales.

The sonar will contain a cylindrical panoramic array and an internal unit housing the operating software. Working together, the array and operating system will provide an accurate, detailed picture of the ocean surface environment to ensure that the underwater vehicle can ascend and surface safely. This is similar to a small-style submarine, using the cylindrical bow array as the main sensor.

Thales sonar is a key component of the XL-UUV’s acoustic detection system.

“Its autonomous detection, classification, and location capabilities will rely on high-performance signal processing, data and analytics, and artificial intelligence functionalities,” said Marc Delorme, Thales lead for the UCUV project.

These new technologies and tactical capabilities are due to deliver an effective operational response to meet the needs of underwater warfare and new forms of naval combat. Read More …

Nerpa anti-diver UUV

Patrolling harbors and inspecting the undersides of ships to ensure that no limpet mines have been attached is physically exhausting work for divers. Cold water and long nights increase fatigue levels. Therefore Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are being considered, but so far none have been armed so they are less able to deal with an intruder if one is found. The Nerpa (Нерпа – named after the Siberian Baikal seal) is being developed by IACS (МАКО) however will be the first to be armed, thus offering endurance advantages over divers.

The Nerpa UUB is equipped with high-resolution sonar and the APS (Avtomat Podvodny Spetsialnyy (Автомат Подводный Специальный)) 5.66mm underwater rifle has a range of 30 meters at 10 meters depth. Read More …

The Netherlands Looks To Develop An ASW USV To Complement Frigates

/The Netherlands Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) are advancing plans to develop an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) unmanned surface vessel (USV) to serve as an adjunct to new Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates (ASWFs).

Left:: Artist Illustration of ASW USV, Middle: Helras dipping sonar, Right: TRAPS Active Towed Arrays

“We are looking at an active sonar for this unmanned surface vehicle. There are broadly speaking two variants possible. First of all, a dipping sonar as used in maritime helicopters like the L3Harris HELRAS used in our navy’s NH90 helicopters [or] the Thales FLASH dipping sonar widely used by NATO nations in their [naval] helicopters”
“The second option [for a USV] is a miniaturised low frequency active towed sonar system [such as the GeoSpectrum Towed Reelable Active Passive Sonar]. Both are viable options, each with their pros and cons.” Commander Paul Dröge, Branch Head Underwater Warfare Technology in COMMIT. Read More….

New mine countermeasure vessel Tournai launched for Belgian Navy

These advanced mine warfare vessels are the first to deploy a combination of surface, underwater, and aerial drones. The fully robotised system onboard is designed to detect, classify, and neutralise mines. The vessels are built to endure underwater explosions and have low acoustic, electrical, and magnetic signatures, essential for their missions.

The rMCM programme, awarded in 2019 to the consortium Belgium Naval & Robotics (comprising Naval Group and Exail), will supply 12 mine countermeasure vessels to the Belgian and Dutch navies, along with around 100 drones. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding signed in September 2023 will allow France to use the rMCM design for six ships for the French Navy, with Thales managing the onboard UAV system. Read More…

Autonomous Survey Technology: Cutting the Umbilical

There is a lot of development underway to cut seafloor seismic and geotechnical survey technologies free from on-site control.

The current method for laying the nodes, which catch reflected waves during seismic surveys, involves specialist vessels and specialist crews.

One example is the Oceanid Ocean Bottom Node (OBN). The OBNs communicate with others in the swarm and with the ship, using acoustics. This is facilitated by having upright OBNs that aren’t obstructed by seafloor topology. See picture below.

OBN-to-OBN communication is used for navigation and, as a swarm, to produce relatively small but high resolution seismic datasets. In the future, it will enable the swarm to report back to the launching vessel even if the vessel has moved beyond the reach of an individual OBN.

Top Left: *PXGEO’s MantaRay is a hovering autonomous underwater vehicle engineered to deploy and recover ocean bottom nodes*. Top Right: Bottom Node
Bottom: Mission Infinity Ship

The OBNs are designed to glide to the seafloor without the need for ROV help or DP-positioning mother vessels. As part of their patented autonomy, the OBN’s will use flight data to create a current profile as they traverse the water column at a predefined heading, constantly adjusting angle of attack to create the required lift to navigate autonomously into position while the deployment vessel has moved on.

PXGEO is using their MantaRay AUV to deploy and recover OBN, see picture above.

Mission Infinity Armada Vessels (see picture above) are designed for Seismic and Survey Operations, using a skeleton crew onboard but all processing down in their shore base station. Read More…

Ocean Bottom Nodes Seismic Survey

Ocean bottom nodes (OBNs) are specialized equipment used in offshore oil and gas exploration and production. Here are their key features and benefits:

Seismic Data Acquisition: OBNs are deployed on the seabed to collect seismic data. They record acoustic signals generated by seismic sources (such as air guns or vibrators) and reflected off geological formations beneath the ocean floor.
Improved Imaging: Unlike traditional seismic surveys conducted from surface vessels, OBNs offer superior imaging of subsurface structures. They provide higher resolution and clearer images of reservoirs, faults, and other geological features due to their proximity to the target area.
Complex Environments: OBNs are particularly useful in complex geological environments, such as deepwater or areas with salt formations. These environments can distort seismic waves, but OBNs placed closer to the seabed can mitigate these issues and provide more accurate data.
Cost-Effectiveness: Although initially more expensive than conventional surveys, OBNs can offer cost savings in the long term. They reduce the need for extensive data processing and interpretation, as they capture clearer data directly from the source.
Minimized Environmental Impact: OBNs have a smaller environmental footprint compared to surface-based surveys. They generate less noise pollution and disturbance to marine life, making them more environmentally friendly.
Longer Deployment: OBNs can remain on the seabed for extended periods, allowing for continuous data collection over time. This prolonged monitoring can lead to a better understanding of reservoir behavior and changes in subsurface conditions.

In summary, ocean bottom nodes are crucial for obtaining high-quality seismic data in offshore exploration. They offer improved imaging capabilities, better data accuracy in complex environments, cost-efficiency over the project lifecycle, reduced environmental impact, and the ability to monitor changes over time. These advantages make OBNs a valuable tool for offshore oil and gas companies seeking to optimize exploration and production activities.

Seabed 2030 marks milestone with new discoveries

On World Hydrography Day, The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project announced a milestone: 4.34 million square kilometres of new ocean floor data, an area the size of the European Union, now have been mapped. This global effort, led by Seabed 2030 – a collaboration between The Nippon Foundation and GEBCO (a joint IHO and IOC-UNESCO programme) – aims to map the entire ocean floor. Read More …

*Shaded blue areas represent the regions mapped in the 2024 GEBCO Grid release. (Image courtesy: Pauline Weatherall/Seabed 2030 Global Center)*

OPT Demonstrate new Maritime Domain Awareness Buoy

OPT’s next-generation Powerbuoy for Maritime Domain Awareness Applications is currently being tested outside New Jersey.

OPT Powerbuoy and WAM-V Unmanned Surface Vehicle

This buoy is powered by Solar, Wind, and Wave Energy to provide 24/7, 365 days of energy for Radar, Video/IR, AIS, and Sub-sea Sensors (Passive or Passive/Active Sonar).

The WAM-V Unmanned Surface vessel can also be charged from the OPT Powerbuoy.

WAM-V Unmanned Surface Vehicle charging by the OPT Powerbuoy

ThayerMahan and Ocius to Develop Long-Duration USV with Acoustic Sensor Arrays

ThayerMahan, an autonomous maritime surveillance and offshore solutions provider, and Australian autonomous uncrewed vessel developer Ocius Technology have signed an agreement to combine technologies to develop long-duration USV with acoustic sensor arrays to strengthen AUKUS Pillar II objectives.

Under the agreement, ThayerMahan will install its outpost passive acoustic maritime surveillance system aboard Ocius’s Bluebottle unmanned surface vessel (USV).

This collaboration will generate uncrewed acoustic sensing systems that can be deployed to create distributed undersea surveillance networks in support of Pillar 2 of the AUKUS agreement.

The collaboration leverages ThayerMahan’s expertise in deploying and operating sophisticated low-power acoustic sensors and advanced, AI-enabled acoustic processing with Ocius’ expertise in providing rugged, long-dwell autonomous vehicles that harvest wind, solar, and wave energy to drive a hull derived from Australia’s world-class sailboat racing designs. Read More…

Norbit strengthens its marine technology portfolio with the Innomar acquisition.

Norbit, renowned in the hydrographic sector for their ultra-compact wideband multibeam sonars used in subsea and surface platforms, has entered into an agreement to acquire the German technology company Innomar Technologie. Headquartered in Rostock, Germany, Innomar is a global market leader in parametric sub-bottom technology, which utilizes specialized sound waves to map layers beneath the seabed.

This technology has a wide range of applications, including mapping sediment layers for offshore wind turbine installations, conducting general underwater geological surveys, and detecting buried objects such as pipelines, cables, rocks, and archaeological artifacts. Innomar has sold systems to more than 80 countries worldwide.

The Innomar SBP is suitable for Unmanned Surface Vehicle installation and is used by several leading USV manufacturers.

OPT Concludes Ops with Multiple USVs for US Government

Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) has completed operations with several simultaneously deployed WAV-Vs for the U.S. government.

WAM-V, short for Wave Adaptive Modular Vessel, is an innovative class of autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) that uses an articulating suspension system to minimize structural loading.

WAM-V ASVs can provide a platform for multi-domain (air, sea, and subsea) marine autonomy for a variety of defense and security missions, including maritime domain awareness, high value asset protection, security perimeters, mine counter measures (MCM), anti-submarine missions, and border security. Read More …

Exail selected by the European Commission to contribute to E=MCM project

Exail participate in the European Extended Mine Counter Measures (E=MCM) project. The objective of this consortium project, led by Naval Group Belgium, is to establish a future European sovereign capacity in mine warfare.

In response to the maritime mine threat and within the framework of the European Defense Fund, the European Commission is supporting European navies in enhancing their Mine Counter Measures capabilities. The primary aim of the E=MCM project is to integrate new functionalities into the next-generation toolbox (toolbox 2.0). These advancements are intended to effectively address the multifaceted threats posed by drifting, tethered, buried as well as the most modern mines.

Thanks to these new developments, the Toolbox 2.0 will go beyond the current new generation stand-off MCM Toolbox that Exail is developing and will be delivering as part of the replacement of the current MCM capabilities for the Belgian and Dutch navies. Leveraging scalable unmanned autonomous systems and intelligent platforms developed by Exail’s teams in both France and Belgium, the new functionalities and improvements will be smoothly integrated into Exail’s MCM ToolBox offer, enhancing operational efficiency and optimizing MCM operations. Read More…

Explore Shipwrecks Like Never Before

Teledyne Marine surveyed the wreck of the HMS Hood with the Teledyne RESON SeaBat T51 800 kilo hertz multibeam echosounder.

The purpose of the survey was to document the current status of the wreck with the highest data resolution ever attempted.

Watch the video to see data clarity and precision. The SeaBat T51 is the MBES with the highest resolution on the market, which you can see in this video. Read More…

High-resolution survey of HMS Hood

Bathymetric Drone Survey with Multi-Sensor Technology

Aeromedia U.A.V., S.L., a Spanish company specializing in aerial survey technologies, recently undertook a project involving a comprehensive survey of a 10-km-long corridor in the reservoir Logrosan-Caceres. The project aimed to showcase the power of integrating multiple survey technologies, including LIDAR, high-resolution photogrammetry, and an airborne echo sounder system developed by SPH Engineering, particularly for mapping terrestrial and underwater terrains.

Aeromedia utilized an innovative approach to address these challenges by integrating three technologies.

This multi-sensor solution enabled the team to measure the Earth’s surface seamlessly, capturing accurate information from the Digital Terrain Model (TDM), even in areas covered by vegetation, and extending to underwater environments up to depths of 100 meters.

The first was LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to capture highly accurate 3D terrain data along the 10-kilometer corridor. LIDAR is renowned for penetrating vegetation and providing detailed elevation information, making it an ideal choice for this project.

The second solution was high-resolution Photogrammetry: Combined with LIDAR, photogrammetry played a crucial role in capturing detailed surface imagery. This technology enabled the creation of precise 3D models and orthomosaics (high-resolution map or image of a specific area that’s made up of multiple overlapping aerial photos that have been stitched together), allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the area’s topography.

Last but not least is the airborne Echo Sounder System. The underwater component of the survey was accomplished with an airborne echo sounder system provided by SPH Engineering. This system could capture submerged topography up to 100 meters, enabling the acquisition of valuable data from the reservoir’s depths. Read More…

French Navy transition from aging Mine-hunters to AUVs

Autonomous underwater vehicles are being tested in the port of Brest, where soon the service will receive next-gen systems due to be delivered in 2029.

The French Navy plan to change its mine warfare strategy by overseeing a transition from its existing mine-hunters to deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).

Currently, the Navy has eight Tripartite-class mine countermeasure (MCM) vessels in active service; the flagship has just reached 40-years-old according to Global data intelligence.

Meanwhile, the service awaits an undetermined number of next-generation A18 AUVs, designed and developed by Exail (former ECA) Group, which France will commission in 2029.

Shackleton’s final ship found after 62 years off Labrador coast

The remains of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s final ship have been discovered off the coast of Labrador, Canada, 62 years after it disappeared. An international team, spearheaded by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), made the discovery.

The ship, known as the Quest, was identified on Sunday evening through sonar scans. According to a statement by the RCGS, the team meticulously researched historic logs and maps, cross-referencing this data with modern technology. By analysing currents, weather conditions and other factors, they determined the ship’s likely location. Read More…

Water Linked Introduces 3D Sonar Technology

Water Linked, a sensor and surveillance technology provider from Trondheim, Norway, is presenting a new form of 3D sonar technology.

The Sonar 3D-15 provides real-time 3D imaging with point cloud generation, enabling live, precise and comprehensive visualization of underwater environments. Because of its high resolution and short-range capabilities, it is especially useful for close-proximity operations, such as identification and classification of target types and inspection of hard to inspect areas, such as ship hulls. The Sonar 3D-15 provides a significant improvement over traditional 2D sonars, simplifying the interpretation of complex sonar images.

Characterized by its compact design, the Sonar 3D-15 boasts an operational depth of up to 300 meters and weighs less than 0.4 kilograms underwater.

Example of 3D Sonar

Its small and lightweight composition renders it compatible with most Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), facilitating effective target detection and navigation across diverse underwater landscapes.

This sonar has a rather short range but would be ideal for underwater inspection applications. Read More…

Flight mystery solved by EdgeTech’s sonar

In 1971, a plane departed from Vermont’s Burlington International Airport en route to Providence, Rhode Island, but tragically crashed, presumably into Lake Champlain. Despite search efforts at the time, adverse weather conditions posed significant challenges. Over the subsequent years, numerous search missions were conducted, all without success.

However, in May of this year, Garry Kozak, in collaboration with Hans Hug, Tim McDonald and Bruce Stebbins, utilized pieces of information from prior surveys to conduct a search for the missing Rockwell Jet Commander using EdgeTech’s advanced 4125i sidescan sonar solution. Remarkably, the Rockwell Jet Commander was successfully located and imaged with exceptional, almost photographic, clarity. Read More…

Kraken Robotics Supplies High-Resolution Seabed Mapping Sonar Solution to Australian Navy

Kraken delivered its KATFISH high-speed, high-definition seabed awareness solution and recently completed system integration and sea trials in Cairns, Australia.

Kraken expects to provide additional in-service support, including training, spares, and operational support.

“Continuing to build off successful KATFISH deliveries with various NATO navies, this represented Kraken’s first KATFISH system sale in the Asia-Pacific region,” Kraken said.

“This system delivery follows the results of a successful in-country demonstration of KATFISH for the Royal Australian Navy in Q1 of this year. Kraken’s team worked in concert with a local Australian survey company, to complete a 60km² feature detection survey that provided real-time ultra-high-resolution imagery and bathymetry of the seafloor along coastal waterways,” Kraken said. Read More…

DARPA Releases First Images Of Manta Ray Underwater Drone During In-Water Testing

Northrop Grumman Corporation unveiled the first image online of a full-scale prototype of the Manta Ray, an innovative uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV). Described as a new class of UUV, the Manta Ray is an extra-large glider designed to undertake extended-duration, long-range, and payload-capable undersea missions independently, without requiring on-site human logistics.

The first image of the Manta Ray UUV strategically showcased the tail section of the vehicle in darkness to conceal certain intriguing details—similar to the approach taken by Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force with the highly anticipated B-21 Raider bomber.

The development of Manta Ray stems from a DARPA initiative focused on advancing critical technologies for future underwater unmanned vehicle (UUV) designs. This program targets advancements in energy management techniques, enhanced payload capacity, low-power propulsion systems, and other key areas aimed at improving UUV capabilities. Read More….

Camouflaged Smart Sea Mine From Türkiye

Koç Savunma, a Turkish defense solutions company, unveiled its Malaman camouflaged Smart Sea Mine solution

This is a unique product that will be extremely difficult to find with sonar or even a camera. See link for more info

DSA 2024: China unveils new UUV-300CD Unmanned Underwater Vehicle capable of launching torpedoes

The UUV-300CD is 28 meters long and 2.5 meters in diameter, with a weight of 50 tons. It can dive to a depth of 200 meters, with a maximum speed of 10 knots and a cruising speed of 5 knots, providing an endurance of 600 kilometers. It has a torpedo-carrying capacity of four and can be used for both reconnaissance and offensive missions.

The UUV-300CB measures 11.5 meters by 1.6 meters and is capable of mine deployment and reconnaissance missions. It can operate at depths up to 300 meters and achieve speeds up to 12 knots. It has a full load weight of 50 tons, endurance of 450 nautical miles at 5 knots, and an acoustic signature below 140 decibels. It is designed to communicate via UHF, satellite, and acoustic channels. see link