Royal Netherlands Navy Orders Sea Wasp ROV From Saab.

Defensie Materieel Organisatie recently signed a contract with Saab for the supply of Sea Wasp ROVs for the Koninklijke Marine. This small and flexible underwater robot is suitable for a wide range of underwater operations.

The Sea Wasp remotely operated vehicle is designed to counter below-the-surface terrorism (Picture source: SAAB AB)

With a base weight of only 75 kg, Sea Wasp is a small and flexible ROV which can be used for a wide range of underwater operations, both within the commercial and military sectors. Sea Wasp can, for example, be used for sea mine detection and other reconnaissance operations.

The Sea Wasp ROV is based on the Saab Seaeye range of commercial ROVs. The modular design allows the vessel to be configured to meet mission-specific needs.

The complete system is made up of a vehicle, generator, pilot station, hand winch and a power supply unit. The vehicle measures 1.7m-long, 0.5m-wide and 0.4m-high and weighs approximately 90kg.

The ROV is attached with an ECA electrical five-function manipulator arm, which allows it to use a range of tools and methods to dispose of IEDs and explosives. The arm with an attached camera is capable of positioning a disruptor near the target for detonation. The disruptor is then fired from the surface to neutralise the target, once the ROV is back to the launch platform.

The order also covers some development, including the integration of the customer-specified Blueview sonar in the vehicle and HMI. The Sea Wasp systems to be delivered will be used by the Dutch Navy.

The Sea Wasp remotely operated vehicle is designed to counter below-the-surface terrorism (Picture source: SAAB AB)