US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
iXblue launches DriX USV
iXblue has launched a new multi-purpose unmanned surface vessel (USV) named DriX, designed for advanced sea operations.
Constructed out of composite material, DriX features a stablised hull optimised for both coastal and offshore missions. The hull design allows DriX to operate independently in hostile weathers and environments, with minimal hoisting manoeuvres.
DriX’s structure consists of a main body, a mast and a gondola bolted onto a drop keel. The payload is embedded in the gondola, and the gondola can be changed to suit different applications such as exploration, pre-site installation, touchdown monitoring, undersea inspection, Metocean, decommissioning, as well as environmental, geophysical, and hydrographic surveys. Should a change of payload occur, the electronic cabinets, housed in the main body, can be easily accessed and removed.
Data gathered by the payload can be transmitted through Wi-Fi or radio waves, or it can be retrieved manually through an on-board retrieval plug.
Powered by a single propeller that enables a top-speed of 15 knots, DriX is designed to offer up to seven days of endurance. The USV has multiple navigation options, such as autopilot, remote supervisor action, a follow-me function and a hovering mode.
The AUSV measures 7.7m in length and 0.7m in width, and has a draft of 2m.
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