Unmanned Maritime Systems Fleet Grows in Australia
Next Generation REMUS 100 AUV joins Double Eagle ROV
The fleet of Unmanned Maritime Systems operated by the Royal Australian Navy has grown with the arrival of New Generation Hydroid REMUS 100 Autonomous Underwater Vehicles following sea trials at Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. The REMUS 100 capability will be deployed by Deployable Geospatial Survey Teams equipped under Project SEA1770 Rapid Environmental Assessment.
Hydroid REMUS AUVs are proven and in-service with 21 navies. REMUS includes the Sea Launcher providing proven “bolt-on” capability for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) deployment and capture/recovery, making it an ideal consideration for SEA1905 Maritime Mine Countermeasures which will see the construction of two new ships to support Australia’s new mine hunting program.
Perhaps the next challenge for naval forces may be to understand how they will deploy/recover, operate and support AUV & USV teams in the field. With a dedicated ship (e.g. Huon Class Minehunter Coastal) the ship could be dispatched to an area to complete all aspects of MCM: Search, Identification, Classification and Disposal. The ship is entirely self-supporting with supplies, communications and a well-defined command structure enabling all tasks to be completed with minimal support.
Navies will now need to develop a CONOPS of how teams can be deployed to an operational area and effectively conduct all aspects of MCM over a period of time. Unmanned Maritime Systems will require different skills and training compared with existing operational roles. The possibility of synergies between Minewarfare teams operating AUVs and Deployable Geospatial Survey Teams operating AUVs for very similar applications can be considered as a potential source of synergy and force multiplication.
Read More:
REMUS 100 Sea Trial confirms CAT 1B Hydrographic Survey Capability
Maritime Geospatial Warfare Unit Field-ready
