Scientists and engineers from QinetiQ and Hydroid have successfully completed a program to train Royal Navy (RN) personnel in the use of REMUS, a very shallow water unmanned underwater vehicle (VSW UUV) used for oceanographic surveys.   Hydroid has supplied ten REMUS 100 vehicles to the RN. Six QinetiQ’s Classiphi sea-bed mapping tool systems will be used with them. Eleven additional Classiphi systems are already in use with the RN. The Royal Australian Navy has also just purchased the system. 

Classiphi uses sonar processing techniques for characterizing seabed type and computer aided detection of small objects. It provides the means of fully utilizing high resolution survey data within a network enabled battlespace giving commanders accurate reconnaissance information when planning operations. 

The system is interoperable with industry standard geographic information systems, military command and control systems and QinetiQ’s own tactical tools, including SPM Expert, a mine countermeasures self-protection package, and QinetiQ’s own UUV/USV mission planning toolkit. Classiphi is also suitable for commercial seabed survey applications.

The REMUS UUV was tailored to the RNs requirements over an eleven-month period. QinetiQ managed the project, providing integrated logistic support aspects alongside Hydroid’s hardware expertise. 

QinetiQ and Hydroid have worked together since 2003 when QinetiQ was first asked by the UK’s Defence Procurement Agency to evaluate two REMUS 100 units. 

REMUS can perform intricate sonar and oceanographic surveys over large areas and is ideal for both commercial and military operations. It is similar in shape to a small torpedo and carries a range of environmental sensors with a side scan sonar system. It can operate for prolonged periods at around three knots and is usually used in conjunction with a long baseline navigation system. The RNs UUV teams will use REMUS—enhanced by Classiphi—to carry out a range of surveying tasks worldwide.

Throughout the anticipated five-year life of REMUS, QinetiQ will provide logistic support to the Defence Logistic Organisation (DLO) giving advice, diagnosing faults and making repairs to the equipment.

Source: Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
Article by AUVSI Staff
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