Unmanned Systems Technology 006 | ECA Inspector Mk2 USV | Antenna systems | Northwest UAV NW-44 | Unmanned ground vehicles | Navigation systems | Lunar X challenge

30 of threats, there are various non-lethal weapon options but also the option of fitting something definitely lethal in the form of a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun in a roof-mounted turret. Different mission suites also feature different levels of interaction with other types of unmanned systems in the ECA range. Sonar software ECA does not make sonars but it can integrate various third-party units, and its Triton Imaging subsidiary offers a range of sensor- and mission-focused sonar data processing software suites. The sensor-focused software of the Triton Perspective family includes packages to handle multi-beam echo sounder (MBE), sub-bottom profiler (SBP) and side-scan sonar (SSS) data, all sharing the common Perspective environment including a graphical user interface. The mission-focused suites include Triton Harbour and Triton Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA). The Harbour suite provides protection from underwater IEDs using a database of historical side-scan sonar and MBE survey data, as well as change-detection tools to find new objects in sensor data and locate them accurately for later inspection by divers or unmanned vehicles. Configurations are available that use existing port hydrographic survey assets or complete integrated AUV or ship-based hardware/software systems including sonars and ancillary survey equipment. The system exploits the Inspector Mk2’s high positional accuracy to perform image co-registration as a change detection technique. The REA suite turns the Inspector Mk2 into a tool for the preparation of amphibious landings, enabling it to collect sea floor, bathymetric and oceanographic data, current and tidal information, measure turbulence and ambient noise, detect obstacles and mines and even collect intelligence on the surface situation through the electro- optical sensors. MBE sonars generate very good bathymetric data, but side-scan sonars produce higher resolution imagery, so detailed surveys of harbours, canals, rivers and other stretches of shallow water often require both. Perspective MBE software includes a bathymetric module that enables rapid creation of digital terrain models, quality control tools and data interpretation aids, and change detection tools. Perspective SSS features a module that enables rapid creation of mosaics, and ensures they are topographically correct, as well as a traditional side-scan waterfall display with automatic fine-tuning tools and playback controls linked to the map display. Also included is a target module designed to acquire targets from mosaics or waterfall displays and measure, analyse and classify them. This module includes image enhancement tools and a facility to export target images and locations. While MBE and SSS sensors create detailed 3D images of the seabed and what lies on it, SPB sonars generate pictures of what lies below it, including buried objects and the bed’s composition. Perspective SBP is designed as a complete software toolset for producing and processing SBP data. Port and coastal mobile surveillance Building on its systems integration capabilities, ECA now offers a mobile system for port and coastal surveillance centred on the Inspector Mk2, a diver detection sonar that can be placed on the seabed by it, and an IT180-3EL-1 coaxial VTOL mini-UAV, all deployable within two hours from a truck with a trailer. For this role, the USV is fitted with ECA’s harbour surveillance and protection package, which includes a radar and multiple electro-optical sensors including thermal imaging and low-light video cameras in a stabilised turret, all mounted on the mast. Software February/March 2016 | Unmanned Systems Technology Dossier | ECA Inspector Mk2 USV The deployment slot for the bow keel arm can deploy its sensor at speeds of up to 10 knots Weapons such as this 12.7 mm machine gun are optional in various surface security mission equipment packages (artist’s impression)