Uncrewed Systems Technology 044 l Xer Technolgies X12 and X8 l Lidar sensors l Stan UGV l USVs insight l AUVSI Xponential 2022 l Cobra Aero A99H l Accession Class USV l Connectors I Oceanology International 2022

64 Insight | USVs repeatedly capsized and self-righted. It has then maintained its course with full control throughout those conditions, and in other trials withstood winds of 45 knots, still able to make its way into headwinds and handle the high waves. “These capabilities are enabled by the streamlined shape of the hull, as well as a full keel and rudder shape, which allow it to resist sideslip and glide through the water with minimal resistance,” Angus adds. “We also have some r&d initiatives that include building a new, larger USV, advancing our onboard data processing for increased autonomy, and enhancing the functionality of our portal Xplorer View to provide more functionality in data analytics as well as command & control.” Over the horizon We previously reported on the REAV-40 USV from HydroSurv, and how it was being used as a research platform for gathering data on offshore wind farms, in UST 37 (April/May 2021). Building on that, the UK-based company’s upcoming REAV-60 has evolved out of several collaborative r&d, trials and testing initiatives with Sonardyne and other partners, running in tandem and focusing on different areas of technological development. “While HydroSurv can now offer USVs in different sizes and with different capabilities, the REAV-60 was conceived as our long- endurance platform – our first over-the- horizon or BVLOS-capable vessel,” says David Hull, founder and CEO of HydroSurv. “To that end, it was developed for up to 14 days’ endurance, which has been enabled through a new hybridisation system consisting of Fischer-Panda and Mastervolt equipment we’ve been testing for the past 6 months.” Rather than merely plugging together turnkey systems, HydroSurv’s engineers have collaborated with Dynautics to develop optimisation algorithms for the REAV-60’s autopilot. That provides intelligent control of the Fischer- Panda AGT 6000 DC genset, which charges the Mastervolt lithium battery clusters at precise points of mission routes as influenced by operational or environmental constraints. “Through the optimisation system, we can enforce ‘no-charge zones’ to reduce noise at certain points during the mission, or initiate charging to arrive fully charged at a particular waypoint – for instance if there’s a series of sequential inspections or data harvesting positions, or if the vessel is operating in an area where it is desirable to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Hull adds. “Beyond that, there are further measures in place to optimise the batteries’ charge cycle, building on everything we’ve learned about battery cycle life optimisation gained from our previous experience of constructing and operating our all-electric USVs.” Propulsion meanwhile comes from two Fischer-Panda 3.8 kW electric pod drives, re-engineered to operate as outboards for easier maintenance and equipped with propellers optimised for hydrodynamic efficiency at 7.2 knots. With this powertrain, HydroSurv anticipates offering the REAV-60 as a multi-mission platform for gathering data over time across hydrographic survey, environmental monitoring, inspection of offshore assets and similar applications. To maintain reliable real-time monitoring and data streams during BVLOS missions, a number of comms technologies are used, including a Thales VesseLink 700 Iridium satellite system, a PepLink cellular router system, and a Ubiquiti wi-fi system for short-range, high- bandwidth comms when available. “We’ve elected to use off-the-shelf equipment with good operating precedents in remote applications,” Hull notes. “The USV’s host network has been integrated and configured for graceful failover from one data link to another. “A large part of the development work for the REAV-60 focused on developing our proprietary command & control system with a long-endurance capability as a core focus of the design. Electrical power distribution and control hardware running in the USV is dual redundant, with an embedded PLC providing control and monitoring functionalities alongside a separate watchdog system to enhance June/July 2022 | Uncrewed Systems Technology The REAV-60 is HydroSurv’s first USV designed specifically with BVLOS operations in mind (Courtesy of HydroSurv)