Mission persistence has long been one of the most vexing problems for
naval forces. Battelle, and its subsidiary Bluefin Robotics, are enabling
missions for the maritime industry around the world with a suite of
tools that includes sophisticated navigational sensors and rugged, long-life
power systems on unique Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). During
SAS '15, Batelle and Bluefin will display comprehensive range of unmanned
operation, power, and situational awareness solutions.
|
Every
time a vessel must make a launch and recovery on the seas, it takes
time, money and increases the risk to personnel. The industry is seeking
ways to make submersibles stay underwater longer and travel farther.
Battelle is helping enable those missions. It does so in a variety of
ways including an underwater docking and replenishment station for undersea
vehicles, lifecycle engineering, and use of sensors and submersibles.
Making a rare appearance at the industry’s largest trade show
and conference, is Proteus, a Dual Mode Underwater Vehicle, in the Huntington
Ingalls Industries. The large vehicle, which can operate in both manned
and unmanned modes, was jointly developed by Battelle and Undersea Solutions
Group, formerly The Columbia Group (TCG) Engineering Solutions Division,
using Bluefin Robotics-developed batteries and autonomy.
This TCG division was acquired by HII earlier this year, making HII
and Battelle co-owners of Proteus. Compared to conventionally-sized
underwater vehicles, the Proteus can carry larger payloads and cover
greater distances than previously possible. |
Battelle
will feature several different products at its booth, among them the
Bluefin 21, which is a highly modular autonomous underwater vehicle
able to carry multiple sensors and payloads at once. This model was
used in the hunt for the missing Malaysian jetliner and its Bluefin
12 variant was used more recently in the discovery of the Japanese battleship
Musashi wreckage. The SandShark™, a small autonomous underwater
vehicle, offers an open platform for rapid AUV technology development,
and the HorizonVue™ camera that provides live video feed with
a 360-degree vantage point. It can be mounted on remotely operated vehicles
(ROVs) to assist with visually surveying hard to see areas in complex
operating environments, will also be highlighted on Batelle's booth.
The Batelle display is located at booth 1219. |
