Uncrewed Systems Technology 047 l Aergility ATLIS l AI focus l Clevon 1 UGV l Geospatial insight l Intergeo 2022 report l AUSA 2022 report I Infinity fuel cell l BeeX A.IKANBILIS l Propellers focus I Phoenix Wings Orca

16 December/January 2023 | Uncrewed Systems Technology A laboratory at the University of Plymouth is setting up a £1.2 million project to create an underwater data network in Smart Sound Plymouth (writes Nick Flaherty). The network, called the Smart Sound Connect Subsurface, will be used to test prototype autonomous underwater systems and services. There is already a ‘wave relay’ mesh of 4G and 5G radio that reaches 20 miles out to sea running from buoy to buoy developed with Steatite and Vodafone. The Plymouth Marine Laboratory will install an underwater acoustic comms network that works to depths of 75 m from each buoy and connects into this surface network. The lab is working with acoustic modems supplier Sonardyne on a range of projects. “The Smart Sound Connect Subsurface network will integrate into the existing advanced surface networks to deliver a fully connected environment, combining underwater, surface and aerial platforms to deliver a testbed for marine autonomy,” said Dr James Fishwick, Head of Smart Sound Plymouth at the laboratory. The network is a key element of the National Centre for Coastal Autonomy, the UK’s first autonomous fully integrated coastal observing and monitoring network, which will use the latest autonomous boats and submarines. “This will deliver a unique subsea comms network within Smart Sound Plymouth,” said Dr Alex Nimmo Smith, Associate Professor in Marine Physics at the university. Marine autonomy network Subsea systems The Mission Technologies division of HII in the US is developing a medium-class UUV with a range of 200 nautical miles and carrying a sonar payload (writes Nick Flaherty). The REMUS 620 has a battery life of up to 110 hours and a range of 275 nautical miles unladen, or 78 hours and a range of 200 nautical miles with HII’s standard synthetic aperture sonar payload. It is intended for mine countermeasures, hydrographic surveys, intelligence collection, surveillance and electronic warfare. A prototype is being built, with production planned for the end of 2023. It has a modular, open architecture design for a range of payloads and HII’s Odyssey suite of autonomy software. The software allows multiple REMUS 620s to operate collaboratively or to be deployed from submarines, small crewed or uncrewed boats, amphibious ships or even a helicopter. The craft can also be used as a platform to launch and operate other vehicles or payloads. The batteries and energy modules have a standard, open interface and so are swappable, allowing for quick turnaround and incorporation of alternative energy sources such as fuel cells as they become available. “The REMUS 620 is the first medium UUV designed to accurately deliver this range of advanced above-and-below water effects at long range,” said Duane Fotheringham, president of Mission Technologies’ Unmanned Systems business group. “It was designed from the ground up for ease of payload integration, and it can support up to three interchangeable energy sections that can be charged inside or outside the vehicle.” Payloads can be replaced or enhanced for multi-mission capabilities, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as cyber and electronic warfare operations. Modular-payload UUV Underwater vehicles The network will be used to test prototype autonomous underwater systems The REMUS 620 is designed for long-endurance missions such as electronic warfare