Compact, lightweight Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) with robust navigation and range for riverine reconnaissance

An on-going need exists for a small lightweight Autonomous Underwater Vehicle capable of traversing, mapping and reporting data for shallow or remote waterways with difficult access. This bathymetry information must be referenced to above-water features such as obstructions, embankments, or waterway shape. SeaLandAire has partnered with BlueView Technologies and Cybernet Systems Corporation to develop a battery-powered miniature UUV with on-board sensing, intelligent navigation and communication capabilities which can operate in currents up to several knots and adapt its performance to achieve maximum range on the order of 50km. Less efficient speeds can also be used to reduce the overall reconnaissance mission duration. The AUV system includes a novel variable-orientation forward looking sonar from BlueView Technologies to provide multi-use functionality without adding volume, weight, or power consumption to the system. The sonar will provide high-resolution horizontal and vertical obstacle avoidance, bottom tracking using optical flow processing to reduce position error accumulation due to current, and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) based on fusion of in situ bathymetry with a priori GIS data. The design is an extension of prior design programs for autonomous or unmanned riverine and station-keeping vehicles.