Navies Exploring New Ways to Employ Underwater Robots
Underwater robots have become essential tools in non-military missions such as the exploration of the oceans and offshore oil drilling. Many navies now want to capitalize on the available technology and deploy robotic vehicles — not just remotely operated vehicles but also more advanced systems that can execute missions autonomously.
The objective is to deploy Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) – such as Marport’s SQX-1 vehicle – that can find buried mines, conduct seabed mapping, and help to protect coastal areas from underwater attacks.
Many navies have designed and tested a number of UUVs, but have yet to begin producing them in large quantities. Officials in charge of UUV development programs are continuing to evaluate technologies and test prototypes until they can determine what systems best meet the needs of the fleet. For navies, UUVs represent a chance to free sailors from “dull, dirty and dangerous” tasks that could be performed by robotics.
Some navies have begun employing UUVs in applications for shallow water mine warfare, oceanography and special warfare support. Future evaluations will include UUVs that carry more advanced sensors and can be operated from surface ships as well as from shore.
A major shortfall with many older generation UUVs is their outdated information-processing technology and lack of an “open architecture” that allow easy sensor upgrades for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
Marport’s SQX-1 uses an open architecture system design, and the sensor payloads are controlled by our Software Defined Sonar technology, which enables the Marport vehicle to be a mission reconfigurable UUV. Research and development work is continuing on signal processing algorithms and advanced sensors that would enable the SQX-1 to become cognitive and adaptive – thus enhancing its autonomy and operational independence.
Navies have only just begun to scratch the surface of the utility of UUVs, but there is clear recognition of benefits that UUVs bring to the underwater battlespace. Marport is continuing to work hard to position itself as a leading UUV supplier in this exciting growth industry.
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