BWB orders Remus AUVs for German Navy

The German Federal Office of Defence Technology & Procurement (BWB) has placed a contract for six Remus 100 Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) manufactured by Hydroid on behalf of the German Navy. The order follows extensive trials by the German Bundeswehr Technical Center for Ships and Naval Weapons (WTD 71) in Eckernfoerde.

The Remus 100 AUV will enhance the German Navy’s mine diving capabilities. The system is equipped with side-scan sonar and various other oceanographic sensors. It navigates by transponder interrogation and DVL-aided inertial dead reckoning in pre-programmed missions. The recorded data will be used to search for mines, lost objects, debris and wrecks or simply to collect topographic ocean floor mapping for hydrographic and scientific applications. The vehicle can be configured with a wide variety of standard and/or customer-specified sensors and system options in order to meet specialised mission requirements.

Graham Lester, director, Hydroid Europe, said: ‘We are pleased to be able to collaborate with BWB and Bornhöft Industriegeraete GmbH to introduce Remus technology into the German Navy to enhance Mine Countermeasure (MCM) operations in Very Shallow Water operations’.

As with all of Hydroid's Remus AUVs, the system is modular, and can be fitted with varying sensors for use in hydrographic surveys, harbor security operations, debris field mapping, scientific sampling and mapping, as well as many basic and applied research programs.

Delivery of the Remus 100 systems and operational training of military personnel will occur during the next 12 months.