![]() Weighing 75 kg with its modular and portable system, it can be operated by a small team – as few as two people – it is easily deployed from ships, shore and smaller boats. In April 2020, the UK-based Saab Seaeye announced an order from the Netherlands Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) for its Sea Wasp ROV. It combines capabilities of mini-ROVs with the performance, speed and payload of professional observation class vehicles.Īnother key French manufacturer is Subsea Tech with its range of mini as well as the larger 37.5 kg Tortuga inspection class ROVs, the latter family capable of operating in up to 4 kt currents, regardless of the direction, and at depths up to 500 m. The latest addition to the Exail family of ROVs is the R7 model. It can also be equipped with a manipulator as well as a USBL (ultra-short baseline acoustic positioning system) and/or DVL (Doppler Velocity Log) to accurately track its position in real time. The full HD camera is controlled with a main 15” touch screen and secondary screens. The R7 possesses a full digital architecture and weighs 32 kg. The 300 m depth rated R7 is equipped with four horizontal vectored and three vertical thrusters allowing for a high manoeuvrability alongside operations at speeds up to 3 kt. The latest addition to the Exail (formerly ECA Group) family of ROVs is represented by the R7 model, which combines the compactness and ease of deployment of mini-ROVs with the performance, speed and payload carrying capacity of professional observation class ROVs. The Blueye ROV family has found applications in civil, research and military sectors customers include the Norwegian and Royal Australian Navies, among others.Įven the smaller ROV, as here depicted the Blueye Robotics Pioneer vehicle while investigating the Helge Ingstad frigate wreck, is key for reducing potential risks and workload to divers and on-surface operators. The more capable Blueye X3 can be equipped with a variety of sensors, manipulators, sonar and positioning systems. The Blueye Pro model, with a similar weight and endurance, can reach depths up to 305 m and operate in up to 3 kt currents. The images can be visualised on Android or iOS smartphones and managed by the Blueye Xbox controller bundle. A powerful light allows for night operations and its full HD camera is capable of recording with a wide angle. They include the 9 kg Pioneer model capable of operations to depths of 150 m and in currents up to 2 kt, with an endurance of 2 hours for normal operations. The Norwegian Blueye Robotics company offers a family of portable, rugged and commercial-grade vehicles. The European industry has made important strides in the niche segments such as the mine countering, but smaller vehicles continue to come mostly from outside the Old Continent. The spread of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) has significantly reduced the risks and workload associated with underwater operations, and while the unmanned technologies continue to advance, ROVs will continue to play a key role where the positive identification due to different factors continues to be paramount. Underwater operations, ranging from the simpler hull inspection to the mine and improvised explosive device countermeasures, in addition to war ordnance disposal, have always represented a dangerous business for divers and boat operators.
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