Jay Clemens
General Dynamics has demonstrated a hovering-autonomous underwater vehicle the company’s Bluefin Robotics subsidiary developed to detect threats to a ship’s hull and structure.
General Dynamics said Thursday it showcased the H-AUV platform that incorporates acoustic sonar and high-resolution imaging technology during the OCEANS 2016 exposition in Monterey, California.
The vehicle is designed to determine a hull’s condition, locate structural issues and identify potential threats to various ships such as cargo vessels, petroleum and chemical tankers, cruise ships and military surface and sub-surface vessels.
“Inspecting ship hulls and other underwater surfaces can be a manpower- and cost-intensive part of a ship’s observation and maintenance,” said Matt Graziano, director of autonomous undersea systems at General Dynamics’ mission systems business.
Graziano added the H-AUV seeks to minimize the risk to divers when they inspect potential threats.
Bluefin Robotics built the vehicle to stream and store high-resolution images to help shipboard or shore-based operators conduct inspections.
