Other U.S. Navy Work Class ROV’s

Deep Drone 8000 ROV

Other than the large CURV-21 ROV, the U.S. Navy owns two other smaller ROVs. The Deep Drone is a 4,100 pound ROV that is designed to meet the Navy's mid-water salvage requirements down to a maximum depth of 8,000 feet seawater. The system consists of the vehicle, umbilical cable, motion-compensated handling system, deck hydraulic power unit, generator, operations van and maintenance van. Navigation is accomplished with an ultra-short baseline acoustic tracking system. Two handling systems are available, Sea Horse I for shallow operations (6,000 feet) and Sea Horse II for deeper operations (8,000 feet). As in the CURV-21, the operator can control the Deep Drone and the Magnum in all six degrees of motion with auto-control functions for depth, altitude, and heading. The three vehicles are equipped with CTFM sonar that can detect acoustic pingers and identify small targets to a distance of 2,000 feet.

The Deep Drone and the Magnum also use both electric and hydraulic thrusters for propulsion and have two seven-function manipulators capable of working with tools and attaching rigging. For photographic documentation, The Deep Drone has a digital still camera with a strobe and both black and white and color television cameras. The Magnum has three video cameras, a digital still camera and a variety of lights. For special operations, both ROV can accommodate custom, skid-mounted tool packages. These packages could include, but are not limited to, trenchers, specialized salvage tools, and instrument packages or other mission-oriented equipment. The system is air transportable and can operate from any capable platform of opportunity.

Magnum ROV

The Magnum is a 3,500 pound ROV that is also designed to meet the Navy's mid-water requirements down to a maximum depth of 8,000 feet of seawater. The system is based around a caged work class vehicle designed for use in high currents. The caged ROV is deployed from any suitable vessel of opportunity with a high-strength armored cable. The side-entry cage provides protection and weight to assist in passing through the currents in the water column. Once near the mission depth the ROV is deployed from the cage with a 600-foot Kevlar tether that is stored onboard the cage with a hydraulically operated winch. The system consists of the vehicle, handling system, deck hydraulic power unit, generator, and three deck vans. The handling system includes the winch with the armored fiber optic umbilical cable and an A-frame type crane.

Navigation is accomplished with an ultra-short baseline acoustic tracking system. The separate diesel generator provides electrical power for the system or power from the support platform can be used if it is compatible. The equipment modules are designed for ground or air shipment, and can operate from any capable platform of opportunity. Magnum system components include a 3,500-pound (air) ROV, armored umbilical cable on a hydraulic-powered cable reel, a frame launching assembly, and three deck vans.

 Source: Naval Sea Systems Command and Office of Corporate Communications (SEA 00D)