U N D E R W A T E R
T E C H N O L O G Y
TWO
UT
SAS VS SIDESCAN
SUBSEA MINING
SUBSEA FRAMES
Ideal platform solution for high-precision
survey applications
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Vol 20 No.1
Editor: John Howes
John@ut-2.com
+44 7859905550
Editorial:
Fred Zeppelin
Research:
M Hamilton Perry
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Zinat Hassan
UT3subsea@gmail.com
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CONTENTS
NEWS 4
COVER STORY 12
USV 16
DEEP SEA MINING 20
SIDESCAN VS SAS 32
LARS 52
PIPE LIFT 60
From the confined, noisy waters of
subsea civil engineering to the
vast frontiers of deep-sea AUV
missions, Exail Gaps USBL series is
evolving from a pure positioning
sensor into a high-performance
communication hub.
Integrated solution solves
complex pipe lift challenge,
Pipe frames- a historical
perspective
eLARS
Katfish LARS
Unique group
Sea launcher
Seaonics
Dispelling SAS
Micro SAS
Interferometric SAS
Fishers
GeoAcoustics
TKMS Atlas
eBOSS
Eureka
Deep sea mining
debate: FOR
Deep sea mining
debate: AGAINST
Project vault
Mining study
Ocean Infinity
Zero USV
Romulus
Hydrosurv
Saildrone
Exail Gaps USBL
100th tree, Hydropact 440
MK2 MacArtney
Ropeless fishing, INS USBL,
HII expands unmanned hub,
Geoacoustics, Mayflower
NEWS
TechnipFMC has delivered its 100th
Subsea 2.0 tree to Shell—the
operator that first adopted the
standardised, configurable subsea
product platform.
The subsea tree was manufactured,
assembled, and tested at
TechnipFMC’s dedicated facility for
the Subsea 2.0 product platform in
Nusajaya, Malaysia.
Tree #100 will be used on a Shell
project in the Gulf of America. The
first Subsea 2.0 tree was installed
during the development of Shell’s
BC-10 field, offshore Brazil, in 2021.
Half of TechnipFMC’s tree orders in
2024 were for Subsea 2.0®, which
has been widely adopted by
operators. The product platform
also includes manifolds and
integrated 800 Series controls.
Combined, these systems control
the flow of oil and gas from a subsea
wellhead.
Through the use of standardised
parts to deliver configurable
solutions, Subsea 2.0 meets clients’
specific needs while reducing lead
time, thus helping to accelerate time
to first oil and gas production.
The tree architecture is modular,
with a high focus on commonality
between horizontal and vertical tree
systems. Similarly, the manifold
architecture uses pre-designed
components and blocks to deliver
flexibility in functionality.
The development of Subsea
2.0began in 2015, with a vision to
streamline subsea engineering
through standardisation and
modularity.
Last November, the Nexans Aurora departed from the Nexans Halden
plant carrying a record 9,731 tons of cable — the highest load ever in
Nexans’ history.
This achievement exceeds the previous record from 2023 by 256 tons.
It is both a record for Nexans Aurora and for the Halden plant, marking
the largest load ever supplied and loaded on one keel from the facility
since its first delivery to Nexans Skagerrak in 1976.
100TH TREE
●
The Rosenxt Group has acquired K.U.M. Umwelt- und
Meerestechnik Kiel. With this acquisition, Rosenxt strengthens its
position in the growing subsea technology market and expands its
portfolio with highly specialised solutions for deep-sea monitoring
and data acquisition.
●
Royal IHC and Demcon unmanned systems are entering into a
strategic partnership to accelerate the deployment of unmanned
and autonomous vessels in both the civil and defence sectors. The
partnership has started with the development of containerised
Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) for USVs and UUVs.
●
Prysmian will acquire ACSM, a Spain-based leader in solutions
for submarine cable installation, including subsea surveying, route
planning and seabed preparation activities with over 20 years of
experience in the offshore cable sector.
●
Vatn Systems has acquired Crewless Marine, a Rhode Island-
based company specialising in advanced underwater acoustic
sensing and signal processing.
COMPANY NEWS
NEWS
Teledyne Marine has announced
the launch of the HydroPACT 440
MK2, an upgrade of its market-
leading subsea pipe and cable
tracking system.
Building on more than 30 years of
trusted offshore performance, the
HydroPACT
440 MK2
MK2 has been engineered as a
robust, future-proof upgrade that
still offers the familiar user
experience and operability, yet
ensures long-term continuity of
supply and operation for
customers across multiple
sectors.
The HydroPACT 440 has been
the industry standard since its
introduction in the early 1990s,
playing a vital role in the
installation, surveying, and
verification of subsea pipelines
and cables.
Widely used in offshore energy,
telecommunications, and
defence applications, the system
provides reliable, real-time
tracking and measurement—
critical proof-of-lay data and
ongoing monitoring for assets
already in situ.
WHAT’S NEW
● Titanium subsea housing –
lighter, more compact, and depth
rated to 6,000 meters as standard.
● For the first time the MK2 system
is offered as a 24Vdc single subsea
pod, reducing cost and complexity.
Especially suited to the newer
eROVs now appearing in the
market.
● New Windows 11 topside
computers – New SDC11 and
RMC11 units for enhanced survey
workflow.
● The DeepView operating system
has been upgraded to be Windows
11 compatible – ensuring familiarity
for long-standing users while
supporting modern capabilities.
The HydroPACT 440 MK 2 retains
the system’s hallmark flexibility, it
can be deployed on a wide variety
of larger ROVs and trenchers
enabling operators to conduct and
verify their own surveys.
HydroPACT 440 MK2
www.c-kore.com
Tel: +44 (0)1904 215161 • Email: sales@C-Kore.com
Subsea Test Tools
INSUL ATION RESISTANCE • ELEC TRIC AL TDR • OPTIC AL TDR • SUBSE A SENSORS
•
•
SIMPLE
TO USE!
2024
’
NEWS
MACARTNEY CONNECTORS
TRUSTLINK COAX CONNECTOR
High-integrity signal transmission
is mission-critical in subsea
operations, whether for HD video,
radar, or telemetry.
MacArtney’s
new TrustLink
Coax connector
delivers this
capability
through
precision
impedance
matching in a
compact, rugged design
that ensures stable, low-loss
connections for demanding
environments.
The TrustLink Coax connector
combines low-attenuation signal
transfer up to 4GHz with a
pressure-rated shell tested to
600bar for long-term reliability.
Available in stainless steel or
titanium, it offers a service life of
up to 25 years. Titanium provides
inherent corrosion resistance,
while stainless steel can be paired
with cathodic protection, giving
operators flexibility to match
material choice to operational
demands.
TrustLink Coax simplifies system
integration by combining coaxial
signal and power in a single
terminated assembly. This
reduces penetrators and
interfaces, saving space and
easing the system designers'
work with tight configurations.
SUBCONN MICRO CIRCULAR
SERIES
MacArtney has recently
expanded its SubConn Micro
Circular series with a new
9-contact variant that maintains
the existing footprint while
introducing a specialised
shielding contact to improve data
integrity in compact subsea
instruments.
Developed for system designers
and operational teams alike, it
ensures stable, low-noise
performance in harsh underwater
environments.
As subsea instruments pack more
sensors into smaller housings,
maintaining signal integrity
becomes a design challenge. The
Data Micro Circular 9-contact
provides a purpose-assigned
shielding path that reduces
electrical noise and supports
more integrated circuit layouts in
space-constrained platforms.
The connector maintains full
compatibility with existing Micro
Circular form factors, enabling
system designers to add
capabilities without altering
mechanical interfaces.
Testing has confirmed a stable
1Gb data transmission on cable
assemblies up to 20m, ensuring
reliable signal and data
performance for
bandwidth-sensitive subsea
systems.
This is supported by a current
rating of 5 A per contact (up to 15
A per connector), providing
reliable power delivery for
low-power sensor lines and
high-integrity data
communication.
The connector is wet-mateable
and pressure-tested to 600 bar,
ensuring dependable
performance in deep-water
conditions.
Its contact design maintains
stable electrical performance
across varying temperatures and
handling scenarios, while a wide
selection of housing materials –
including brass, stainless steel,
titanium and anodised aluminium
– supports durability and
compatibility across diverse
platform requirements.
The new 9-contact connector is
available in inline and bulkhead
configurations, including the
SubConn Metal Shell 1500 range.
Micro Circular 9-contact connector
TrustLink Coax connector
TrustLink
Coax
connector
Reach
for the
impossible.
Your operations are getting more complex. Hybrid. Autonomous. Crewless. USVs and
AUVs working alongside ROVs in fully integrated missions. Demanding lighter tethers,
smarter connectivity, and uncompromising signal integrity. Now, the solutions you need
are the ones you can’t find in any catalog. That’s where DeRegt comes in.
Talk to our ROV specialists about what your next project demands.
Take a refreshing deep dive on our new website:
deregtcables.com/rov-cables
For more information
Pyxis INS + USBL
UK-based survey company, SEP Hydrographic.
has successfully deployed a Applied Acoustics
Pyxis INS + USBL system. This delivered an
average saving of one full day per vessel
mobilisation by eliminating the need for
traditional, seabed-beacon calibrations.
Before adopting Pyxis, SEP Hydrographic’s
process required a full USBL calibration,
necessitating the manual deployment and
recovery of an acoustic beacon on the seabed.
This process often consumed a full day of vessel
time, dependent on weather, and posed safety
hazards to the team operating from small
nearshore vessels.
The Pyxis INS + USBL system was chosen for its
factory-calibrated design. By combining high-
performance USBL technology with an advanced
Inertial Navigation System (INS), all necessary
acoustic and chassis alignments are
completed before the system leaves the factory.
This leaves only installation-specific INS alignment
required in the field.
NEWS
EdgeTech, manufacturer of on-demand (ropeless)
fishing systems, acoustic release solutions and
high-resolution sonar imaging systems, is excited
to announce that EdgeTech’s 5112 On-Demand
Fishing System has been approved by the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife for use
in the California Dungeness Crab fishery during
closures.
This approval marks a major milestone for
sustainable fishing and whale-safe gear
technology. The 5112 system has been part of
broader testing and gear innovation efforts in
California that have shown impressive reliability
and value, helping pave the way for its
authorisation under the state’s whale-safe gear
initiative.
The 5112 system uses proven on-demand acoustic
release technology to eliminate the need for
permanent vertical lines at the surface
dramatically reducing the risk of marine mammal
entanglements while maintaining effective harvest
capability.
EdgeTech Ropeless fishing for Dungeness crabs
ROPELESS FISHING
INS USBL
10
GeoAcoustics signed a channel
partner agreement with
AlphaGeo, a specialist provider
of integrated solutions for
uncrewed and remote marine
operations.
The agreement enables
AlphaGeo to represent
GeoAcoustics’ full portfolio of
sonar systems, including the
GeoSwath 4 interferometric
bathymetric sonar, GeoScan side
scan sonar, and GeoPulse sub-
bottom profiler, across the UK
and Ireland. The collaboration
will place particular emphasis on
integration with Uncrewed
Surface Vehicles (USVs) and
Remotely Operated Vehicles
(ROVs).
The new partnership forms part
of GeoAcoustics’ global strategy
to work with technically
proficient local partners who
understand the evolving
operational needs of both
established and emerging
marine industries.
AlphaGeo/GeoAcoustics
HII EXPANDS UNMANNED HUB
HII is celebrating its 25th anniversary of
establishing the UK office by expanding its
operations base. After being housed in its current
facility for nearly 11 years, the new facility, also in
Portchester will effectively double the available
floor space to 6500 square feet. This will lead to a
considerably greater flexibility an increase in
capabilities and a larger workforce. The company
sees this strategic move as necessary for the future
of the subsea defence sector.
“We have delivered over 750 vehicles worldwide
and have a large presence in the UK and NATO.”
said Nick Green, Senior International Business
Manager. “This newly expanded office will support
our UK and more broadly our European customers,
allowing us to increase training capability by
permitting multiple training sessions at any one
time.
“The expansion is very much in line with the
importance being placed on global partnerships
across the HII enterprise - not just unmanned but
across all areas of mission technology.
The base will be originally involved in training and
maintenance but there is also intent to do a level of
production in the U.K. where possible when
New HII
facility
licensing permits, especially on
the ancillary work. We are
especially looking at units such as
the launch and recovery systems
for the for the REMUS 620 as well
as basic level assembly of the
vehicles.
Going forward, the Porchester will
also help HII support two new
ventures
TTLR
Last September, Babcock and HII
signed a memorandum of
understanding to bring together
the REMUS UUV with Babcock’s
submarine Weapon Handling and
Launch Systems (WHLS). TTLR
(Torpedo Tube Launch and
Recovery system – being able to
launch and recover a medium-
sized UUV from a submarine) is
seen as a useful underwater
facility strengthening the
undersea advantage. Babcock’s
WHLS are currently in service with
the submarine fleets of the United
Kingdom, Canada, Australia,
Spain and South Korea.The
Porchester facility will include
service and support for this.
NEWS
11
MAYFLOWER
Mayflower
In 2026 the Mayflower
Autonomous Ship will
undertake a series of voyages
into the deep Atlantic,
transiting through the Azores
and the Canary Islands,
deploying sensors such as Apex
Floats and also Teledyne
gliders, while also collection
METOCEAN data that is shared
real-time as open source data.
The ship will also be opening
up an application process to
have university student
payloads and experiments
taken to sea on an ad-hoc
basis.
Additionally, the ship will
continue to test new navigation
sensors and autonomy
software, working with Marine
AI, the world’s leading USV
autonomy software.
Bathy2
The latest evolution in
bathymetric measurement
Density corrected depth data directly from one instrument
Valeport-Sales@Teledyne.com | +44 1803 869292 | valeport.co.uk
12
The subsea industry is reaching a
turning point where the definition
of precision is shifting. It is no
longer just about knowing where
an asset is; it is about maintaining
a robust data link in increasingly
complex and cluttered
environments.
From the confined, noisy waters of
subsea civil engineering to the
vast frontiers of deep-sea AUV
missions, Exail Gaps USBL series is
evolving from a pure positioning
sensor into a high-performance
communication hub.
OVERCOMING ‘ACOUSTIC HELL’
IN URBAN WATERWAYS
To understand the future of USBL
technology, one must first look at
where it succeeds today: in the
"acoustic hell" of complex subsea
construction. A major urban
infrastructure initiative in
Gothenburg, Sweden—aimed at
modernizing the city’s transport
network—recently presented a
formidable challenge for subsea
engineering leader Scanmudring.
The task involved underwater
excavation beneath a river in a
dense urban environment,
characterised by steel walls,
confined spaces, and zero-
visibility freshwater.
In such conditions, traditional
acoustic positioning often fails
due to multipath reflections and
ambient noise generated by the
surrounding infrastructure.
FROM CONFINED WATERS TO DEEP-SEA FRONTIERS
Scanmudring deployed the Exail
Gaps M5 USBL to track their 40-
tonne remotely operated
Scanmachine. Mounted on a
precisely mapped beam, the
Gaps M5 provided the critical
"eyes" for the operators in a high-
turbidity environment where visual
confirmation was impossible.
"The project presents a very
challenging environment for
acoustic positioning," explains
Stian Aanensen, Tender Manager
at Scanmudring. "The Gaps M5
provided an easily deployable,
readily calibrated, and high-
performance solution. It was much
more user-friendly to configure
than previous systems, even for
personnel who are not positioning
experts."
The success of this operation
proved a fundamental point:
Exail’s 3D acoustic antenna design
and embedded Fiber Optic
Gyroscope (FOG) AHRS offer a
level of signal processing that
thrives where others struggle. By
eliminating the need for on-site
calibration, the system allowed
Scanmudring to move directly to
operations, saving critical time in
a high-stakes construction
schedule.
BEYOND TRACKING: THE NEW
TELEMETRY FRONTIER
While this project demonstrated
the Gaps’ mastery of tracking in
difficult conditions, the
technology is now moving toward
a new frontier: advanced acoustic
telemetry.
The same robust acoustic link that
allowed Scanmudring to track a
subsea excavator through heavy
noise is now being utilized to
carry complex data. Exail’s next-
generation Gaps series features
an upgraded command-and-
control protocol, allowing the
USBL to act as a vital gateway
between the surface and subsea
assets.
This evolution addresses the
industry’s shift toward autonomy.
Modern operators now require
more than a coordinate; they
need real-time status updates
from AUVs, the ability to harvest
data from subsea sensors, and a
reliable way to send mission
tasking without deploying a
separate, dedicated modem.
By supporting third-party
protocols, the Gaps has become
an "open" platform, capable of
managing diverse subsea fleets
within a single acoustic
ecosystem.
A SCALABLE ECOSYSTEM FOR
EVERY MISSION PROFILE
The evolution of the Gaps series
is about providing a tailored
response to the diversifying
needs of the offshore sector. By
streamlining the range, Exail
ensures that its core 3D acoustic
antenna technology is accessible
for every mission profile.
EXAIL GAPS USBL
COVER STORY
13
Compact, lightweight, and
easy to pole-mount, the Gaps
system combines high-
performance tracking with
immediate operational
readiness.
14
For ultra-deepwater requirements,
the Gaps M7 remains the flagship,
pushing tracking limits to 7000m. It
integrates a high-grade Phins
Inertial Navigation System (INS) to
maintain high precision in the most
demanding GNSS-denied
environments.
In contrast, the Gaps M5—the
model utilized by Scanmudring—
strikes a balance for mid-depth
construction and renewables,
offering an export-free solution
designed for rapid mobilisation on
vessels of opportunity.
Recognising that many modern
platforms already carry high-end
inertial navigation, Exail also offers
the Gaps M3. This model provides
the same acoustic performance
without the internal INS/AHRS,
offering a cost-effective, high-
accuracy tracking option for
permanent installations or DP
vessels where motion data is
already being fed into the system.
SETTING THE STANDARD FOR
THE AUTONOMOUS SUBSEA
ERA
As the industry moves toward
Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs)
and remote operations, subsea
hardware must become more
agile. The Gaps series addresses
this by featuring decentralised
processing and a redesigned
web-based Man-Machine
Interface (MMI), allowing
operators to control the USBL
from any connected device,
anywhere in the world, via a
simple browser.
This "plug-and-play"
philosophy—combined with the
The Gaps M7 M5 and M3
absence of a dedicated topside
box—makes Gaps the ideal
standard for a new generation of
autonomous fleets where space
and power are at a premium.
Ultimately, the journey from the
riverbeds of Sweden to the
frontiers of deep-sea exploration
highlights the unique versatility of
the Gaps system.
By combining the field-proven
robustness demonstrated in
complex urban infrastructure
projects with the digital
intelligence of new telemetry
protocols, Exail is ensuring that
"Smarter USBL" is no longer just
a concept, but a core operational
reality for the decade to come.
Urban waterways represent a high-
interference environment where steel
structures and confined geometry
demand superior signal processing to
maintain tracking integrity.
COVER STORY
15
THE EVOLUTION OF
MISSION SPECIALIST
OPERATIONS HAS ARRIVED.
Explore what’s possible at videoray.com
Ocean Infinity has reached a
significant milestone with the delivery
of the final vessel in its fourteen vessel
Armada fleet – closing a chapter that
began in 2020 with a bold ambition to
redefine offshore operations.
This latest delivery completes the 86-
metre class of Armada ships, following
the successful introduction of the 78-
metre class in 2023.
Twelve vessels are now in live
operation, with the remaining two
following close behind, pushing the
boundaries of robotics and technology
at sea.
This achievement reflects Ocean
Infinity’s purpose: using innovative
technology to transform operations at
sea to enable people and the planet
to thrive.
The vessels are a huge part of what
makes that transformation possible –
inherently smaller than conventional
counterparts and integrated into
Ocean Infinity’s onshore control centre
for live monitoring and remote control
of robotic sub-systems.
The Armada fleet is already delivering
safer, more sustainable solutions –
reducing the number of people
offshore, cutting fuel consumption,
and creating more
efficient ways of working.
Each vessel is mobilised with a tailored
suite of equipment, including
advanced underwater robotic systems,
enabling a wide range of data
collection tasks.
Over the past five
years, Ocean
Infinity has built
and deployed a
fleet of cutting
edge lean crewed
vessels unlike
anything the
industry has seen
before.
From geophysical surveys to
geotechnical investigations, these
capabilities support complex offshore
projects globally from the United States
to Europe and the Asia Pacific, delivering
high quality data and driving innovation
in subsea operations.
Ocean Infinity Armada 86-metre vessel 8606
USV
OCEAN INFINITY
ZERO USV
British autonomous vessel pioneer,
ZeroUSV has completed its third
Oceanus12 Uncrewed Surface Vessel
(USV), marking a key milestone in
expanding its growing autonomous fleet,
available for outright purchase or charter.
The new vessel, features striking
geometric livery inspired by the dazzle
camouflage used by the Royal Navy in
the early 20th century.
Designed not for concealment but to
USV
distort visual range finding and
course estimation, the historic
pattern has been reimagined to
celebrate the fusion of naval
heritage and modern maritime
innovation.
The completion of the third
Oceanus12 reinforces ZeroUSV’s
commitment to long range
autonomous vessels and
accelerates the provision of a
COTS (Commercially off the shelf)
USV solution which can be set up
with integrated payloads for
UWW (Underwater warfare ops) in
the defence sector or
hydrographic survey equipment
for the commercial Hydrography
market.
Oceanus12 is truly use platform,
agnostic of its mission.
Matthew Ratsey, managing
director of ZeroUSV, said:
“Inspired by the bold dazzle
camouflage of the First World
War, a geometric pattern
designed to distort
perception and conceal a
ship’s course, Dazzle fuses
naval heritage with the
forefront of modern maritime
innovation.
The Oceanus12 is controlled
using software from MarineAI’s
GuardianAI autonomy suite,
delivering COLREG-compliant
navigation, adaptive decision-
making, and remote mission
control, as well as integration
of third party payloads.
Currently being commissioned
and shortly entering sea trials,
Oceanus12, hull number 3 will
join the operational fleet
alongside ZeroUSV’s first two
Oceanus12 vessels which are
currently in operation in
Plymouth UK, and with Leeway
Marie in Halifax, Canada.
18
HII’s ROMULUS new unmanned
surface vessel (USV) family
prototype has reached 30%
completion and remains on
schedule for sea trials in the
fourth quarter of this year.
The ROMULUS unmanned
surface vessels will pair with the
REMUS UUV to REMUS deliver a
scalable surface/subsurface
solution for contested seas.
It is designed for Anti-Submarine
Warfare (ASW) , closing the
sensing gaps and keeping
manned platforms at safer
standoff ranges.Mine
Countermeasures (MCM) will
leverage decades of REMUS
minehunting performance to
accelerate clearance and lower
fleet exposure.
The vessels deliver high-
endurance, sustained open-ocean
autonomy with a focus on
lethality, cost efficiency and
scalability. The family will support
missions including intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance,
counter-unmanned air systems,
mine countermeasures, strike,
and the launch and recovery of
unmanned underwater vehicles
(UUV) and unmanned aerial
vehicles (UAV).
Paired with HII’s REMUS UUVs,
ROMULUS extends undersea
reach and supports a scalable
dual-domain force package built
for distributed maritime
operations.
ROMULUS is built around
Odyssey ACS, HII’s proven
autonomy suite used across
more than 35 USV platforms and
over 750 REMUS UUVs in 30
countries. Odyssey enables
sustained open-ocean
autonomy, multi-agent
swarming, modular payload
integration, and manned-
unmanned teaming.
ROMULUS platforms will also
feature integrated capabilities
from Shield AI, Applied Intuition,
and C3 AI for enhanced
autonomous performance and
lifecycle sustainment.
ROMULUS
Saildrone and Lockheed Martin
have partnered to equip the
20m Saildrone Surveyor with
Lockheed Martin’s proven and
prolific JAGM Launcher.
Surveyor is a high-endurance,
extreme-range USV that
provides persistent maritime ISR
and deep-ocean mapping
capabilities, designed to
operate autonomously
anywhere in the world for
months at a time with minimal
human intervention or oversight.
Equipped with sensors, radars,
and communications
equipment, the Surveyor
detects, tracks, classifies, and
relays near-real-time intelligence
into a common operating
picture, accelerating operational
decision-making.
In addition to equipping
Surveyor with the JAGM
Launcher and other payloads,
Lockheed Martin’s $50 million
investment in Saildrone will
integrate command and control
Saildrone
enhancements, enabling Saildrone
to conduct fleet defence, signals
intelligence, reconnaissance, and
strike missions. technologies will
support the US Navy in realising its
vision for a manned–unmanned
hybrid fleet.
Proof-of-concept integrations and a
live-fire demonstration are
scheduled for summer 2026..
SAILDRONE
USV
ROMULUS
19
HydroSurv has announced a new
vessel order from Clear Water
Systems Limited, supporting a
groundbreaking technology
development project that
addresses one of the most
critical environmental challenges
facing freshwater ecosystems –
harmful blue-green algae
(cyanobacteria).
To support in-field testing,
HydroSurv is providing its REAV-
35 Uncrewed Surface Vessel
(USV), offering a capable and
adaptable platform for hosting
specialist environmental
payloads.
The 3.5m electric vessel features
a 24kWh battery-electric
powertrain driving twin 5kW
steerable pod drives from Rim
Drive Technologies, delivering
quiet, emission-free operation
with exceptional manoeuvrability
and endurance.
The pilot project, funded under a
Small Business Research Initiative
(SBRI) for the Department of
HYDROSURV
HydroSurv USV
Agriculture, Environment and
Rural Affairs (DAERA), focuses on
mitigating harmful algal blooms
(HABs) in Lough Neagh, Northern
Ireland’s largest inland lake. Over
recent years, Lough Neagh has
faced increasing prevalence of
cyanobacterial blooms, which
threaten aquatic life, and the water
quality for local communities.
Clear Water Systems is developing
a novel in-line water treatment
system designed for targeted,
mobile disruption and toxin
reduction of blue-green algae
directly in situ. The company’s
SlipStream processor will be used
to evaluate treatment approaches
for HAB scums, with the objective
of exploring the potential for
reductions in algal concentration
and potential toxin reduction.
To enable in-field testing and
large-scale deployment, Clear
Water Systems sought a zero-
emission, uncrewed vessel
platform capable of operating
efficiently and safely within
sensitive freshwater environments.
eBOSS
EDGETECH
EDGETECH
BURIED OBJECT
BURIED OBJECT
SONAR SYSTEM
SONAR SYSTEM
• Unmatched Clarity
See through the seabed with precision
• Compact & Efficient
High performance with reduced
size & weight
• Seamless Integration
Pairs with EdgeTech 2205 for
full-spectrum obstacle detection
Advanced 3D Imaging
Beneath the Seabed
Discover the power of
broadband, sediment-
penetrating Synthetic
Aperture Sonar (SAS) for
high-resolution imaging
of buried objects.
eBOSS
Redefining subsea imaging for faster,
more effective site clearance
Seabed
What eBOSS sees
20
In 2026, Impossible Metals will
launch its Eureka III autonomous
underwater robot production-
sized prototype, the latest
iteration of a design that goes
back to 2021, when the company
began working on its idea for
collecting deep sea polymetallic
nodules.
The Eureka I AUV successfully
completed its Proof of Concept
trial in 2023, while a year later,
the second-generation Eureka II
completed its deep-water
testing.
Eureka I
The key feature of the Eureka series of vehicles is its low impact
on the ocean bed. In operation, the autonomous vehicles are
launched from the mother vessel to hover just over the ocean
floor. They then employ robotic arms guided by camera-based
artificial intelligence to selectively collect nodules. This approach
minimises sediment disturbance and, importantly, avoids all
visible life.
If the AI imaging software detects visible life, it skips that area and
creates a virtual protective zone around it, where no nodules are
collected. Additionally, even where no life is detected, a large
percentage of nodules will remain untouched, preserving habitat
and biodiversity.
Numerous nimble robotic arms work independently to pick the
nodules from the seabed and place them onto a conveyor that
transfers them to a holding tank.
DEEP SEA MINING
Eureka II
EUREKA