As a part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund ‘Robotics for a Safer World’ programme, HydroSurv has developed two new Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs) for inland and nearshore survey and inspection operations in challenging environments. The larger vehicle system REAV-40 – a multi-purpose USV for coastal operations is now embarking upon a series of trials to begin testing the capability of this new USV in real-world environments.
The REAV-40 was originally designed to perform hydrographic and environmental survey work in open-water, tidal environments which demand greater endurance, sea-keeping and performance than the smaller REAV-16 inland platform. Like the REAV-16, REAV-40 also has an electric propulsion system but packs approximately 20,000Wh propulsion battery capacity alongside a separated 5,500Wh general service battery capacity.
The larger 4m hull is constructed of welded HDPE and the vehicles hull has been subdivided into five watertight compartments to ensure the vehicle remains damage survivable with any single compartment on the vessel breached. Unlike the smaller REAV-16, the REAV-40 has a monohull form which has been developed to maximise the waterline length with minimised stern proportions to reduce vertical motions in a following sea. The vessel has a large central moonpool capable of carrying multi-sensor payloads to suit multi-mission requirements.
The REAV-40 has independently steered electric pod drives, which combined with differential thrust allocation provide a manoeuvrable platform in various operating modes. During initial trials, the vehicle will be operated with an experimental vessel control system developed by project partner Reygar – a system that has already undergone initial system tests on the REAV-16 over the last few months prior to deployment on this larger USV platform.
HydroSurv’s design team set out to develop an electric USV capable of being launched at remote worksites without the need for port and harbour infrastructure, capable of providing day-works operations in open water from a land-based support vehicle. As we enter an exciting period of testing, we look forward to putting the REAV-40 prototype ‘USV Inanibus’ through its paces.