Thales Australia and Flinders University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to study the development of an automation system for the launch and recovery process of the General Dynamics Mission Systems Bluefin 9 UUV, procured by the Royal Australian Navy under its Deployable Mine Counter Measures project.
USV
USV
Weekend Roundup: August 28, 2020
This Week (and last week) in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
On Aug. 18, U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Shaneka Shaw, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron-1 (VMU-1), a weapons and tactics instructor (WTI), graduated from the MQ-9 Basic and Requalification/Transition Course 2 class 20-03, and became the first Black female Marine qualified to fly MQ-9 Reapers at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Shaw spent 55 training days learning to fly the MQ-9 at Holloman. (Air Education and Training Command)
Sea Machines Robotics closes $15 million financing round
Sea Machines Robotics has closed a new $15 million financing round, which marks one of the largest venture rounds for an advanced technology company serving the marine and maritime industries, according to Sea Machines.
“This reinforces Sea Machines’ position as the leading developer of autonomous navigation and wireless vessel control systems,” says Michael G. Johnson, CEO, Sea Machines.
“Our ability to secure significant financing during a challenging economic environment is an indicator of investors’ confidence in our ability to reshape and retool the marine industries with modern-day, advanced technologies.”
Weekend Roundup: July 17, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
In association with JR East Group, Panasonic Corporation and Panasonic Production Engineering Co., Ltd. have launched a mobility service trial using Panasonic's robotic mobility device, an electric wheelchair with autonomous tracking function. The goal of the trial is to verify serviceability of the devices in a sunny, semi-outdoor environment. (Panasonic)
A rising tide lifts all boats: AUVSI's Maritime Advocacy Committee celebrates two-year anniversary
A rising tide lifts all boats is more than an aphorism for AUVSI’s Maritime Advocacy Committee (MAC), which today celebrates its two-year anniversary.
Elbit Systems UK uses Seagull USV during Anti-Submarine Warfare trials with UK MoD
Elbit Systems UK has announced that it completed a series of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) trials with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Delivered via Defence Science and Technology Laboratory's (DSTL) Progeny Framework, the trials explored how future ASW operations could be supported by autonomous systems.
“Elbit Systems has world leading technology to offer to the maritime and littoral environment,” says Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit Systems UK.
Sonardyne demonstrates tech that will help autonomous vehicle ops in challenging environments
Under a project funded by the UK’s national Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), Sonardyne International Ltd. demonstrated technologies that it says will help autonomous vehicle operations in challenging environments.
Sonardyne worked with a 12-meter-long SEA-KIT X class USV, and tested and validated sensors already used by UUVs for use on USVs in support of missions in coastal waters.
The SEA-KIT X was equipped with Sonardyne’s SPRINT-Nav hybrid inertial navigation instrument, which was tested against local real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS positioning as part of the DASA program to fast-track autonomous vehicle capability in challenging or harsh conditions.
Sonardyne, XOCEAN use USV to conduct live seabed-to-shore data harvesting mission
As part of a seabed monitoring campaign at the giant Ormen Lange field offshore Norway, Sonardyne International Ltd. and XOCEAN recently used a USV to successfully complete a pioneering live seabed-to-shore data harvesting mission for A/S Norske Shell.
Believed to be one of the largest data harvesting missions using a USV to date, the project was completed without a single person having to travel offshore or from their home office. According to Sonardyne, the project was achieved with “significantly less emissions, health and safety risk and cost” than could be done with a manned vessel.
Elbit Systems equips Seagull USV with Towed Reelable Active Passive Sonar for USVs
Elbit Systems Ltd. has successfully equipped its Seagull USV with the Towed Reelable Active Passive Sonar (TRAPS) for Unmanned Surface Vessels (TRAPS-USV).
A product of Elbit's Canadian wholly owned subsidiary Geospectrum, TRAPS-USV is a compact and powerful low frequency towed sonar.
The Seagull USV underwent sea trials, during which multiple deployment and recovery cycles were conducted, as well as towing at different speeds and transmission at various power levels.
