GPS World

Tag: underwater drone

  • CHC Navigation releases Apache 6 USV for high-resolution marine surveying

    CHC Navigation releases Apache 6 USV for high-resolution marine surveying

    CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) has released the Apache 6–2026 Edition, an integrated unmanned surface vessel (USV) designed for high-resolution bathymetric and 3D mapping applications. Built to accommodate NORBIT multibeam echosounders, the Apache 6 delivers a comprehensive solution for underwater surveying, object positioning, and offshore construction support in varying aquatic conditions.

    The Apache 6 – 2026 Edition is optimized for seamless integration with the NORBIT iWBMS and WINGHEAD series of multibeam echosounders. An optional NORBIT iLiDAR can also be integrated, allowing for the simultaneous collection of marine and terrestrial 3D data in a single pass. This capability is particularly efficient for projects that require mapping both underwater topography and overhead structures, such as bridges and power lines, making it a comprehensive tool for harbor, river and infrastructure surveys.

    Automated Sound Velocity Profiling
    Accurate sound velocity measurement is fundamental to high-quality bathymetric data. The Apache 6 – 2026 Edition addresses this with an optional automated sound velocity profiler (SVP) kit. This system can be controlled directly from the remote controller, allowing the operator to perform SVP casts on-demand without interrupting the survey workflow. The kit is designed for rapid deployment — attachable or detachable in under a minute — ensuring that the multibeam echosounder data is continuously corrected with the most accurate sound speed information, which is critical for meeting stringent survey specifications.

    The USV combines a detachable triple-hull vessel design with smart rotating propeller technology to deliver both stability and agility in varied conditions. The robust hull configuration ensures reliable performance in strong currents, while removable side floats enable safe operations in shallow waters. Intelligent propeller control adjusts water flow direction to achieve a turning radius of approximately two meters, supporting effective navigation in confined or winding channels.

    Android-Based Control
    Survey operations are streamlined through an intelligent Android remote controller, which provides real-time access to vessel status and data without the need for a separate field computer.

    The interface allows for straightforward management of the survey workflow, while a multi-link communication system ensures reliable data transmission over long distances. This setup enables surveyors to maintain seamless control over the Apache 6 and monitor mission progress effectively from the shore.

  • Ukraine shows off Toloka underwater drone

    Ukraine shows off Toloka underwater drone

    Ukraine unveiled its TLK-1000 underwater drone — capable of striking targets as distant as 2,000 km  (1,240 miles) away — at the Defense Tech Valley 2025 exhibition in Lviv on Sept. 19.

    While the torpedo drone itself moves underwater, it has surface elements including antennas for receiving GPS signals, video and thermal imaging cameras, and communication equipment, reported Militaryn in February, when Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky first introduced the Toloka drone at the Support Ukraine summit. Designed for stealth operations just below the surface, it uses electric propulsion to evade detection and penetrate Russian defenses.  

    Kyiv has repeatedly used maritime drones to inflict heavy losses on Russian assets in the Black Sea, according to Defense Express. The TLK-1000 could threaten the Crimean Bridge, a supply and transport route for Russian forces to occupied territories, as well as Russian submarines.

    There are three models of Toloka. The largest, TLK-1000, is 12 meters long with a warhead payload of up to 5,000 kg and a range up to 2,000 km (1,240 miles). It is built for long-distance missions and heavy loads. It navigates with GNSS supplemented by AI-INS with a Doppler Velocity Log (DVL).

    The TLK 400 also navigates with AI-INS with DVL and GNSS. It is 4 to 6 meters long, its payload can be up to 500 kg, and its range can be up to 1,200 kilometers. The TLK-400 features a hybrid propulsion system and is intended for reconnaissance, mining, signal relay and strike operations.

    The TLK 200 navigates with GNSS + AI-INS. It is 2.5 meters, its range 100 km, and its payload 20 to 50 kg of explosives. Typical tasks include reconnaissance, mining, short-range strike missions and radio-relay support.

  • L3Harris, Sonardyne pursue precise autonomous navigation under water

    L3Harris, Sonardyne pursue precise autonomous navigation under water

    A new case study focuses on improving the endurance and navigational precision of underwater autonomous systems.

    Sonardyne, designer and manufacturer of underwater positioning and inertial navigation, describes the challenges to increase navigation capability for subsea monitoring and inspections. Sonardyne joined the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and L3Harris ASV on a two-year project to develop new positioning technologies to extend the limits of AUVs and UUVs.

    The project — Precise Positioning for Persistent AUVs (P3AUV) — is supported with £1.4 million  in funding through Innovate UK’s research and development competition for robotics and artificial intelligence in extreme and challenging environments.

    Sending autonomous and unmanned underwater vehicles (AUV, also known as UUVs) out on missions that will last for days or weeks, unaided by vessels or other supporting offshore infrastructure, is a major goal for the ocean science, offshore energy and defense sectors.

    Photo: Sonardyne
    Photo: Sonardyne

    Sustained Ocean Observation. The research community aims for sustained ocean observation without the need for ship support, especially in ice-covered polar areas. Long-duration navigational capability is also a key enabler for persistent covert surveillance operations in the defence sector. And emerging applications include resident seabed-based systems, deep-sea mining, aquaculture and UXO surveys for renewable installations.

    Autonomous AUVs would remove the need for a surface vessel, reduce risk to personnel, and reduce costs. Users could survey more seabed for longer and with fewer or even no people offshore.

    The team is developing ways to provide greater positioning accuracy for long-endurance operations in deep water, while also reducing power requirements. The team will also be increasing the use of autonomy to make long baseline (LBL) positioning transponder box-in faster and easier, with onboard data processing and calibration.

    High-power INS input. Central to this work is the AUV’s acoustic and inertial navigation system (INS). Low-power sensors have much lower navigation accuracy and often have to surface to correct positioning error with a GPS fix. The team seeks to integrate low- and high-power sensors to achieve high performance at much lower power consumption.

    For instance, the NOC’s Autosub Long Range (ALR) uses a low-power microelectronic mechanical system (MEMS) supported by separate Doppler velocity log (DVL) and ADCP input to calculate how far it has traveled on missions, which can be several months long. To increase the ALR’s positioning accuracy over longer distances, the team is using the Sonardyne SPRINT-Nav all-in-one subsea navigation instrument alongside MEMS technology to work towards high-precision solutions that save space and power.

    Image: Sonardyne
    Image: Sonardyne

    Accuracy during ascent and descent. The project also involves improving positioning accuracy when subsea vehicles transition through the water column. This is a notoriously difficult area for AUV deployments, because it relies on the Doppler velocity log (DVL) being able to lock on to the seafloor (bottom lock), so that vehicle XYZ velocities can be calculated, supported by pressure data.

    However, DVLs are range limited, so there is often a period where the DVL is out of range. When there are thousands of meters of water between the surface and the seabed, this can introduce significant positioning uncertainty.

    By using the acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) capability in Sonardyne’s SPRINT-Nav INS instrument (looking down) and a second Syrinx DVL (looking up), the team could then build up a layer-by-layer profile of the water column velocities to be used as tracking layers.

    The objective is to reduce positioning errors significantly during both the dive and surfacing phases of an operation. Results depend on the variability of the current in any given area.

    The data collected during the descent and surfacing phases can be processed to provide a full ocean-depth current profile — collection of which is required for many offshore energy projects and can be valuable for ocean research.

    Read more about the case study here.

  • SwellPro USA, Urban Drones introduce waterproof drone

    Spry Drone briefly submerges under water to flip on its belly then fly in the air like a bird (PRNewsfoto/Urban Drones)
    Spry Drone briefly submerges under water to flip on its belly then fly in the air like a bird (PRNewsfoto/Urban Drones)

    SwellPro USA and Urban Drones have released a waterproof drone, the Spry, that can briefly submerge like a submarine, float like a boat and fly in the air at over 43 mph.

    The Spry features a self-contained camera that can capture video at 30 frames per second and pictures at 12 megapixels. According to the company, the Spry gives users the ability to capture high-resolution video and pictures without compromising speed and agility. It can also wirelessly transmit the video signals to a monitor embedded in its waterproof remote control.

    The Spry’s GPS can be activated from the remote control, which has an integrated 4.3-inch monitor to view the Spry’s live video feed. It also boasts advanced flight features, such as hold position, auto follow, object orbit and return to pilot’s position.

    “The Spry’s ability to submerge under water and fly in the air makes it the most versatile drone ever created,” said Alex Rodriguez, CEO at Urban Drones. “We’ve only seen this in science fiction movies.”

    Urban Drones is a drone technology company located in Florida and SwellPro USA’s partner in the Spry project.