The Norwegian companies Eelume, Blueye Robotics and Maritime Robotics are taking mine defence to the next level of autonomy: the unmanned surface platform WP960 (USV) - deployed in the clearance area by a „conventional“ mine hunting unit - is the transit carrier and hub for the swarm deployment of eight autonomous „Eelume S All-Terrain“ underwater robots (AUV) for autonomous mine search and clearance. WP960 carries these AUVs, deploys them, controls and monitors them, analyses the sensor data via an on-board AI and clears them accordingly - the USV then collects its AUVs again.
WP960 as a surface drone is no longer than 10 to 12 metres, depending on the variant, and can reach up to 30 knots with its double water jet propulsion. The entire USV can be transported by sea and air and is designed for road transport on a trailer. Depending on the space available on the „conventional“ platform, up to a dozen of these WP960s can be carried on board and even deployed in a swarm. The AUVs deployed under water are immediately networked and thus efficiently cover large search areas.
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It would be interesting to know what products the German industry has to offer. I'm sure they haven't been idle either, and there are established and new specialised companies in this field. Perhaps MF could put together an overview?
That sounds like a very progressive concept.
12x WP960s with up to 8 AUVs each are 96 underwater robots that would be carried by a single manned unit in this scenario. As far as I could find out, these AUVs work increasingly with photogrammetry, i.e. a combination of sonar and a 4K camera. Depending on the design of the AUVs, they operate at a maximum distance of 200 metres from each other and actively follow the contours of the seabed: „all-terrain“.
In Hamburg, for example, the K5 Kraken is to be built relatively quickly as a representative of the 12-metre UPS class, as Tim Wagner explained to DN. This class would be very interesting as an escort UPS for the manned naval boats and for property protection for the seaward protection of naval harbours and properties.
What is the actual situation regarding the German procurement of up to twelve capability carriers for linked mine defence (class MJ334), and will these units still be able to sail into mined areas? - 9 lines