ASV will supply a C-Enduro unmanned surface vehicle (USV) to Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh Campus under an order announced on 24 June. The system will be deployed as part of research in persistent and long term autonomy with multiple remote and autonomous marine platforms.
ASV will supply a lighter variation of the original C-Enduro that will be battery powered only. The standard C-Enduro centres on a three-pillar power structure of solar power, a wind turbine and a diesel generator to maximise its sea endurance.
The vehicle will be primarily used as a moving navigation and communication platform for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
The research forms part of the ROBOTARIUM national UK facility for research into the interactions amongst robots, environments, people and autonomous systems. This initiative is run by the Edinburgh Alliance in Robots and Autonomous Systems and involves both Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh.
David Lane of Heriot-Watt said: ‘The vehicle will be available to students in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and Autonomous Systems as a research facility. The facility will train upward of 65 Innovation Ready PhD students in aspects of robot interaction, starting in the autumn of 2014.’
According to ASV, the C-Enduro was selected during a competitive tendering process which was first advertised in November 2013.
Despite claiming there was no need for a drone corps, Army Aviation remains ready to address UAS and CUAS warfighter requirements, as it focuses on adaptability and rapid deployment across all levels of warfare.
Kiev and Moscow have been competing over who can better harness the ongoing revolution in military affairs caused by AI-controlled and human-operated robots and drones.
This time, the UAS flew into NATO airspace, though there is no evidence that they did so deliberately.
South Korea is rapidly advancing its UAV programmes and counter-drone capabilities in response to increasing threats from North Korea’s unmanned aerial systems.
Inspired by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the British Army has one eye on the future as it develops its ability to operate FPV UAS.
The confrontation followed a history of untroubled fly-throughs by similar drones en route to Ukraine.
Connect with us on socials
