Long Range UUV to Feature Fuel Cell Power

Cellula Robotics Ltd. announced it will develop and build a long-range unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) incorporating a fuel cell power pack and suction anchor. 

The UUV, known as Solus-LR, will have a target range of 2,000 km and is designed to stay submerged for multi-month missions.

Cellula said it is moving forward with the project after having received approval to proceed with phase 3 of a contract by Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of the Department of National Defense's (DND) science and technology organization, Defense Research and Development Canada (DRDC), under the All Domain Situational Awareness (ADSA) Science & Technology (S&T) Program.

“This S&T program will showcase Cellula’s advanced UUV research and development, combining traditional technologies with innovative power and anchoring solutions,” said Eric Jackson, President of Cellula. “With Solus-LR able to travel for thousands of kilometers, port to port missions will become a feasible lower-cost alternative to vessel-based operations.”

Cellula said it has recently completed the Solus-LR preliminary design review and is proceeding with the critical design phase. Technology and lessons learned from the previously announced fuel cell and suction anchor phases will be further developed and implemented in this project.

The design phase will continue into early 2019 followed by the build and factory testing. Sea trials and a capabilities demonstration in Indian Arm, British Columbia, will be concluded by April 2020.