AutoNaut, developer of autonomous wave propelled vessels, has rolled out the new generation of 5-metre AutoNaut unmanned surface vessel (USV) with several new and upgraded features.
The latest wave foil technology enables speeds of 1-3 knots to be consistently maintained, with no need for fuel and for long endurance missions. The vessel has been ruggedised throughout and features improvements in the deployment system – for launch/recovery from ship or direct from slipway, the company explains.
An enhanced rudder system makes the USV even more manoeuvrable – able to keep station within a 25 metre radius. Finally, the 5-metre has additional space and power to allow for multiple sensor, including: MetOcean, ADCP, Passive Acoustic Monitoring, Surveillance and as a Communications Gateway.
Pete Bromley , technical manager at AutoNaut, says: “We’re really proud of the improvements made in this boat – we’ve learned a lot from all the missions conducted in the last year or so and the growing team we have here have brought some great ideas to the development.”
“The versatility of the 5-metre is key,” says Phil Johnston , business development. “With so many options for the sensor payload it’s a game-changer in terms of how we can provide solutions for clients, whether in oil and gas, defence or marine science”.