Getting Defensive

Defense Innovation Days organized by the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA) promises to bring together an “A List” of speakers and attendees from industry, government and academia for a common mission: for an open discussion on current trends and to engage in discourse on the future of technology and the defense industry. Scheduled for September 3-5 in Newport, RI, Defense Innovation Days promises not only a compelling conference and speaking line-up…

Rhue Joins Hydroid as Marketing Manager

Hydroid, a science and technology company in the field of advanced AUVs, announced Kaitlyn Rhue as the newest addition to its sales and marketing team, taking over the duties as Marketing Manager. Rhue will help to align the company for future growth and expand its presence in the Marine Robotics market. Part of her focus will be to increase customer communications and feedback to the business facilitating the expansion of products and services to Hydroid customers.

Sea Trials Prove SEEMP NAPA Software Does Save Fuel

In advance of International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) ship energy efficiency management plan (SEEMP) legislation becoming mandatory from January 2013, Finnish shipping company Bore has announced the results of its trial of electronic SEEMP software, which has verified a 5.8% reduction in fuel consumption. The company’s 89-day sea trial of the NAPA for Operations SEEMP software, conducted between April and July 2012 along routes between Cadiz and Naples and Cadiz and Pauillac…

NCCOS Awards $1.7M to Support Habitat Connectivity Research in National Marine Sanctuaries

NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science awarded $1.7 million of an anticipated $5.9 million over the next four to five years for three research projects to investigate species’ habitat usage and connectivity in and around national marine sanctuaries in the Florida Keys, Flower Garden Banks, and Stellwagen Bank.Marine protected areas (MPAs), such as national marine sanctuaries, are designated…

Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE Semifinalists Announced

XPRIZE today announced the 21 teams representing 13 countries advancing in the $7 million Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE, a three-year global competition challenging teams to advance ocean technologies for rapid, unmanned and high-resolution ocean exploration and discovery. Their innovative approaches run the gamut: gliders and drones, underwater robotic swarms, autonomous underwater vehicles, robotics, artificial intelligence and massive computing platforms.

Water Linked Launches Underwater GPS System

Norwegian technology supplier Water Linked has launched a new Underwater GPS system that leverages traditional GPS along with Water Linked’s unique underwater acoustic positioning technology. Designed to enable underwater positioning in a wide new range of marine technology applications, this system is priced at $4,800, half the cost of existing underwater positioning systems. The Underwater GPS Developer Kit is available for order with the first deliveries expected in June 2017.

Venezuela Picks Falcon ROV for Dam Inspection

For inspection of its vast Guri Dam and associated turbines, the Venezuelan Government has chosen a Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV fitted with a special survey system. Built in the 1960s and one of the largest reservoirs on earth, work is underway to extend the life of the dam by 30 years. For their vital inspection work, the Venezuelan Government chose the Falcon ROV after reading favorable reports of its technological capability and the range of work undertaken by the ROV for the hydro industry.

UK's Newest Submarine Arrives on the Clyde

Artful, the third of the U.K. Royal Navy’s new Astute Class attack submarines, has arrived at her Scottish base port from where she will carry out sea trials before entering service later this year, the U.K. Ministry of Defense announced. The 7,400-metric-ton, 97-meter-long Artful left BAE Systems’ construction yard at Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria several days ago before sailing to her new home at Her Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde.

Kongsberg Develops New LARS for HUGIN AUVs

Norway's Kongsberg Maritime has developed a new LARS (Launch and Recovery System) solution for its HUGIN range of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), which it says will bring "a series of far-reaching operational improvements."Kongsberg has decided to have the new LARS operating from midships, with the release and capture of HUGIN marine robots occurring beneath the sea surface."Launching and recovering AUVs underwater…

Saildrone, Seabed 2030 in Ocean Mapping Partnership

U.S. based uncrewed surface vehicles (USV) company Saildrone has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Seabed 2030 to work together to advance ocean mapping in support of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.According to Saildrone, the MOU outlines a shared commitment between Saildrone and Seabed 2030 to leverage technological innovation to more quickly and…

Kraken Establishes German Subsidiary

Kraken Sonar Inc. has established a new German subsidiary, Kraken Robotik GmbH (KRG), to commence operations at the Bremen Innovation and Technology Centre effective January 1, 2017. According to Kraken, the move to expand operations into Germany corresponds to strong growth in the region where the company has an increasing base of customers and strategic partners. In addition to customer support, KRG will focus on the development of 3D imaging sensors…

China Reef Work Could Lead to New Exclusion Zone

China could eventually deploy radar and missile systems on outposts it is building in the South China Sea that could be used to enforce an exclusion zone over the disputed territory, the U.S. military commander for Asia said on Wednesday. Admiral Samuel Locklear, speaking at a congressional hearing in Washington, described as "aggressive" the land reclamation and construction projects China has been conducting at eight military outposts in the South China Sea.

Valeport launches new sensors for subsea survey

Valeport launched two new sensors for ROVs/AUVs and subsea survey.The new miniIPS2 and new uvSVX, which both offer operationally specific interchangeable pressure transducers that deliver enhanced accuracy for specific depth ranges. These field-swappable sensor heads make it easy for users to select the correct pressure range for their work and offer increased accuracy at any depth, alongside streamlining benefits to users who previously required different instruments for shallow and deep water.

Silicon Sensing’s Sales Rise 65% as it Hits 25th Anniversary

UK-based Silicon Sensing Systems, a joint venture (JV) between Sumitomo Precision Products and Collins Aerospace, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a sales growth of over 65% over the last five years.Silicon Sensing has seen a consistent rise in demand for its rugged, high performance inertial sensing technologies since its inception 25 years ago.The company has supplied inertial sensors and systems to a range of notable projects…

Cellula Robotics Partners with the NOC to Advance Marine Autonomy

The U.K. National Oceanography Center’s (NOC) Marine Robotics Innovation Center announced that Cellula Robotics is joining its thriving community of partners.Cellula Robotics Ltd. is a privately-owned company founded and based in Vancouver, B.C., since 2001. The firm currently has a team of around 30 engineers, technicians and program managers based in its combined office and workshop facilities in Burnaby, on the outskirts of Vancouver.

Xerox and DARPA Partner to Develop IoT Ocean Sensors

PARC, a Xerox company, announced Thursday it has been awarded a contract by the U.S.' Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the next development phase in the Ocean of Things, a project to expand what scientists know about the seas.Initially announced by DARPA in 2017, the Ocean of Things project is deploying small, low-cost drifters in the Southern California Bight and Gulf of Mexico to collect data on the environment and human impact.

Wave and Tidal Challenges and Opportunities

A new report outlines the steps which need to be taken to ensure the U.K. remains at the forefront of wave and tidal energy sectors.The Wave & Tidal Transformation report released today by the National Subsea Research Initiative (NSRI) highlights the opportunities and challenges for technology developers and subsea supply chain companies looking to do business in these sectors. It outlines how and…

Global Navy Power & Changing Paradigm of Submarine Programs

Technology and dynamic mission profiles have driven change in the defense industry, Hydro Group Plc Managing Director Doug Whyte, explores the changing paradigm of submarine programs, an evolving market he has experienced first-hand, with over 30 years at the helm of his own innovative subsea design and manufacturing group. My original business partner, Mike Redstone, previously worked for Vickers Slingsby which was involved quite extensively with the Ministry of Defense (M.O.D.).

DryShips Reports 3Q 2014 Results

DryShips Inc. an international provider of marine transportation services for drybulk and petroleum cargoes, and through its majority owned subsidiary, Ocean Rig UDW Inc., or Ocean Rig, of offshore deepwater drilling services, today announced its unaudited financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014.  For the third quarter of 2014, the Company reported net income of $16.7 million, or $0.04 basic and diluted earnings per share.

WAM-V 8 Unveiled

Marine Advanced Robotics, Inc. (MAR) has launched a new autonomous surface vessel (ASV), the 8’ Wave Adaptive Modular Vessel (WAM-V), offering new capabilities.MAR is scheduled to deliver the next generation MARV II (Multifunctional Assessment Reconnaissance Vessel) to the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (ERDC-CHL) for Pier Reconnaissance under the PIER JCTD…