Preliminary Design |
HOW BIG ARE THE VEHICLES. The design basis UOV is 30 feet long. The first Engineering Development Model is 20 feet long. The vehicle design is scalable; production models of single displacement hull vehicles can be 12 to 50 feet long. WHAT MODELS ARE AVAILABLE. Models are available for delivery in 2 - 6 months. Please see the technical section for more information on sample models. WHAT CAN THE VEHICLES DO. They are like space satellites that operate on the ocean. The vehicles have sufficient volume, weight and power to support numerous sensors and instruments. This can include a deployable sensor such as a side-scan sonar. A 30 foot vehicle will be able to provide a minimum of 100 watts of power continuously for electronics and sensors. This is sufficient for vehicle control, communications and a suite of sensors and instruments tailored for customer requirements. The vehicle has an electric propulsion motor for tactical maneuvering and general mobility in low/no wind conditions. The vehicles have a large battery capacity for continuity of power. HOW ARE THE VEHICLES DEPLOYED. The vehicles are self-deployable (able to transit to remote or distant ocean areas). They are also configurable for shipboard stowage to allow deployment at sea from a host platform. HOW LONG CAN THE VEHICLES STAY AT SEA. The vehicles have unlimited endurance. For most applications, it is expected the vehicles will be rotated off station at intervals of 6 to 12 months to allow for inspection and maintenance. CAN THE VEHICLES SURVIVE STORMS AND HURRICANES. The vehicles are built to survive severe weather and then resume normal operation. The hull is watertight, and the vehicle is self-righting. HOW DO THE VEHICLES AVOID OBSTACLES. The vehicles will have a system to avoid collision with other vessels and ocean obstacles. Depending on vehicle mission, it will include active or passive contact recognition sensors. On board software will direct the vehicle movements. HOW ABOUT PIRACY AND VANDALISM. Like all boats at sea, manned or unmanned, the vehicles run the risk of being intercepted by hostile elements. However, the vehicles are low profile and will be programmed to avoid or outrun other boats that attempt to intercept them. The vehicles will be capable of sending distress calls and will be outfitted with video surveillance capability. The vehicles will have some auto-destruct capability if the hull is breached. WHAT ABOUT FOULING. Extended operation at sea risks bio-fouling, and ocean debris could get caught on topside and underwater surfaces. The vehicles have a "defouling" operating mode. They will have topside wash-down capability for bird droppings, etc. The design and materials are selected to limit bio-fouling. ARE THE VEHICLES SUBMERSIBLE. A submersible vehicle is in the design stages. Small, low observable, it will transit semi-submerged, and be capable of submerged operations of 12-24 hours. The expected diving depth is 200 meters. |
Unmanned Ocean Vehicles
Frequently Asked Questions
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