Navy Signals Need for New Large AUV Class
is a cutting-edge, autonomous, unmanned diesel-electric submarine with a modular payload section to execute a variety of missions critical to enhancing the Navy’s undersea prowess. Configured to accommodate various payloads, the Orca XLUUV allows for the seamless integration of sensors, communication systems, and other mission-specific components, adapting to the evolving requirements of naval operations. With its long-endurance capability, the Orca XLUUV can operate autonomously for extended periods. This allows for sustained operational presence and increased mission effectiveness in challenging
Saildrone USVs Support Mission to Secure US Southern Border
Voyager USVs are also deployed to the Caribbean Sea in support of Operation Southern Spear.The Saildrone Voyager is a 10-meter USV designed to support distributed maritime operations by monitoring critical areas, such as chokepoints, for illicit activity. Equipped with advanced sensors, radar and communication systems, Saildrone USVs can detect suspicious vessels, track their movements and relay near real-time intelligence into a common operating picture for action.Once a target is identified, Saildrone provides precise coordinates and other data, enabling the Coast Guard to interdict bad actors before
SeaMe Project to Leverage AUVs, AI to 'Stand Watch' in Offshore Wind Farms
;Enhancing System Capabilities for Offshore DeploymentAnother focus of DFKI's work is preparing the system specifically for offshore use. To achieve this, its capabilities are being expanded, and existing functions optimized to withstand demanding operating conditions. This includes improving communication systems, implementing enhanced safety measures such as emergency surfacing capabilities, and increasing overall system robustness.Navigation in the open ocean is particularly challenging as conditions vary and the AUV has to react to unforeseen events. To address this, the researchers are developing
Exail Launches Its New DriX O-16 USV
for long-duration operations of up to 30 days. It benefits from an autonomy of 3,500 nm and can deploy multiple payloads and subsea assets. Its larger size allows for a wide range of payloads, including multibeam echosounders (MBES), sub-bottom profilers (SBP), and acoustic subsea positioning and communication systems (USBL). Additionally, the USV features a launch and recovery system to deploy remotely operated towed vehicles (ROTVs), inspection-class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).According to Exail, the new transoceanic USV is particularly suited for full
Exail Introduces New Transoceanic Uncrewed Surface Vessel
and subsea assets.The new USV leverages the successful track record of the already existing DriX USV launched back in 2017 which has accumulated over 150,000 hours of operations at sea in more than 19 countries. The new DriX O-16 benefits from a hybrid propulsion, redundant architecture, advanced communication systems, as well as AI powered obstacle detection and avoidance capabilities. It offers a high level of reliability and operational efficiency, and new multi-mission capabilities, for enhanced autonomous operations at sea.A versatile platform, Exail new transoceanic USV allows to launch and recover
Remote, Autonomous Ship Ops Drive Future of Marine Data Management
erroneous data are usually spotted and flagged up quite quickly. However, in the case of remote and autonomous ships, there is a greater need for automated, efficient, robust, and scalable data quality control.A requirement for seamless data transfer has led to the development of advanced communication systems and protocols in all fields of life, not just offshore. High-bandwidth connections and secure networks are essential to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of data. Additionally, data compression and optimisation techniques are employed to reduce the size of the transmitted data, optimising
USV Projects Awarded Funding Under US Dept of Defense Accelerator Program
each receiving $10 million to expedite their production and fielding.Maritime Applied Physics Corp. was awarded $10 million for USV Range Extension using Beyond-Line-of-Sight Communications, and BlackSea was awarded $10 million to accelerate initial low rate procurement of USVs and supporting communication systems to enable beyond-line-of-site operations.APFIT funding is helping to deliver war-winning capability 1-2 years earlier than scheduled, while contributing to the health of the US Industrial base through investments in small business and/or nontraditional defense developed capabilities, the
UK Navy Buys Mine-hunting ‘Mother Ship’
Wilton.Purchased from Norway's Island Offshore, the the 96.8-meter-long vessel – currently named Island Crown, but due to be renamed as it joins the fleet – arrived at HMNB Devonport, where it will undergo minimal conversion work, primarily to support installation of military communication systems and Royal Fleet Auxiliary operations, before being handed over to the RFA later this year.Defense Procurement Minister, Alex Chalk KC, said, “This is another significant step forward in the modernization of Royal Navy capabilities and use of autonomous systems to complement our crewed
Hydromea at the helm on Subsea Wireless Optical Comms
Hydromea is leading the development of the global underwater wireless optical communication standard for bandwidths up to 10Mbps within the Subsea Wireless Group (SWiG), of which Hydromea has been a member since 2019.Hydromea, emerging player in the field of wireless optical communication systems, can send data through water at speeds of up to 10Mbps using dispersed LED light, a technology the company says assures wide-angle communication coverage as opposed to laser systems. Hydromea’s technology enables wireless, high-speed, low-latency communication between two or more communication nodes at
February 2025
