The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has purchased two Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) from Hydroid, Inc., a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime and the leading manufacturer of AUVs. The REMUS 100 AUVs will be used to support Sweden’s mine countermeasures program, especially in harbors and other confined or shallow waters. Sweden’s previous purchase of two Hydroid AUVs in 2009 was highly successful leading the Swedish Defense Forces to increase their AUV fleet to four REMUS 100 vehicles.
“Hydroid is proud to continue its strong partnership with Swedish Defense Forces through the purchase of these REMUS 100s,” said Christopher von Alt, President and co-founder of Hydroid . “Sweden is one of 13 countries across the globe whose navies rely on Hydroid AUVs for collecting undersea data to protect their people and their borders.”
FMV exercised an option on a previous contract to purchase the two AUVs. The new REMUS 100s will be deployed from Spårö-class mine hunter vessels by the Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams. REMUS 100s will help EOD teams find and classify submerged objects, ensuring harbors remain safe by tracking down any mines or other undocumented ordnances that may exist within Swedish waters.
Hydroid’s REMUS AUVs are modular and versatile: They can be fitted with a variety of sensors and used to aid in hydrographic surveys, harbor security operations, debris field mapping, scientific sampling and mapping, as well as many basic and applied research programs funded by ONR, DARPA and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense. With over 200 vehicles in the field, Hydroid is currently the AUV market leader.
About Hydroid, Inc.
Located in the U.S. and a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime, Hydroid is the world’s most trusted manufacturer of advanced Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). REMUS and HUGIN AUVs provide innovative and reliable full picture AUV systems for the marine research, defense, hydrographic and offshore/energy markets. Together, REMUS and HUGIN represent the most advanced, diversified and field-proven family of AUVs and AUV support systems in the world.
Developed by a veteran team of engineers, the innovations of Hydroid and Kongsberg Maritime provide a safe and reliable answer to the challenges that have hampered ocean exploration and security.
[mappress] Subsea World News Staff , December 15, 2011; Image: Hydroid