Electronics Weekly
The robot will enable the “disarming or removing threats” says Dstl. As well as operating at depths greater than divers can reach, the robot can also work safely for much longer.
Underwater robot
“This technology would be a valuable toolset for keeping our Armed Forces safe whilst providing the public with value for money,” says the defence organisation.
“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.”
ROV
The robot is based on a commercially available remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The robot, however, is adapted by Dstl to both deal with sabotage threats and also clear legacy unexploded ordnance.
The ROV detects explosives devices and remotely places its own charges to enable safe neutralisation. The underwater robot is shown in action in the video below.
Industry partners in the trial include: Alford Technologies, Atlantas Marine, Sonardyne and ECS Special Projects.
Geopolitical
The locations for the trials were Horsea Island, Portland Harbour, South Wales and Norway.
The context for the testing, of course, is the geopolitical threat resulting from the Ukraine war. Particularly, the recent sabotaging of cables in the Baltic sea.
Image: Dstl (the robot is detaching the charges and retreating)
See also: Dstl develops atomic clock for precision timekeeping
