ECA Group will develop an ultra-deep autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) under a contract worth €2 million from Ifremer, the company announced on 24 January. The AUV will be dedicated to survey and inspection.
After a development period of three years, the AUV, which will be capable of reaching 6000m water depth, is expected to accomplish its first dives in 2019.
The new AUV will be deployed from French and international oceanographic research vessels in missions involving other deep water intervention vehicles, starting with Ifremer’s Victor 6000 remotely operated underwater vehicle and Nautile manned submersible.
Claude Cazaoulou, director of sales and business development from ECA Group Robotics Division in Toulon, said: ‘For future commercialization by ECA Group of this AUV branded A6K, the system specifications are particularly interesting for missions such as deep sea mining survey, oil/gas pipeline inspections, rescue missions and mineral resource exploration.’
Ifremer is the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea. ECA was selected for the contract as part of a project to establish the Cooperative Off-Shore Robotics Alliance (CORAL Alliance) with selected industrial partners. The alliance will aim to promote innovation and competitiveness in an integrated concept, linking ocean science to marine industry.
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.
Connect with us on socials
