The Belgian Navy has added to its fleet of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) from Hydroid, Inc., a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime and the leading manufacturer of AUVs. Two new REMUS 100 AUVs will enable the Belgian Navy to detect underwater mines, improvised explosive devices and other undetonated ordnances at Very Shallow Water (VSW) areas.
“Belgium’s Navy is one of 13 navies around the world using Hydroid AUVs to keep people safe,” said Christopher von Alt, President and co-founder of Hydroid . “Employing a REMUS 100 allows the Navy to survey areas where boats cannot travel, contributing to the protection of the entire Belgian coast from explosives, regardless of topography.”
In 2005 the US-based Belgian Military Supply Office purchased a single REMUS 100 system as an evaluation unit. A series of successful trials with the REMUS led to this most recent purchase of two additional AUVs, bringing Belgium’s REMUS 100 fleet to three. Evaluations proved out the versatility of the REMUS 100 in a variety of oceanographic conditions, making it clear that the AUV was ideally suited for the Navy’s VSW needs.
Hydroid’s REMUS AUVs are modular: 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 300 vehicles in the field, Kongsberg Maritime 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 , February 17, 2012; Image: Hydroid