The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and partners have adapted a commercially available remotely operated vehicle (ROV) which will prevent adversaries from sabotaging undersea pipelines and cables.
Additionally, Dstl has developed and incorporated systems which allow the robot to detect and destroy unexploded legacy ordnance remotely, enabling safe neutralisation.
These threats are hazardous for both vessels and the divers sent out to clear the issue, meaning that these robots could soon be saving lives at sea.
The robot is operated remotely and can launched either from the shoreline or a sea vessel. Video and sonar images are fed back to operators during deployment, keeping staff safer.
Dstl explosive engineer, John, said "This unique capability with its sensors, tools and cameras will give operators a real time ability to deal with these underwater hazards in a safe, effective and efficient way.”
Remarkably, the robot is typically not destroyed during deployment, meaning that it is multi-use. As John emphasises “this technology would be a valuable toolset for keeping our Armed Forces safe whilst providing the public with value for money."
Partnering with industry provides additional economic and skill sharing benefits. Industry partners for this project include Alford Technologies, Atlantas Marine, Sonardyne and ECS Special Projects.
Lucy Baldwin
