An Unmanned Underwater Riverine Craft (UURC) with Autonomous Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance Capability

In this Phase I effort, two key technologies in developing an Unmanned Underwater Riverine Craft (UURC) are targeted. The first key technology is the vehicle and the second key technology addressed is the navigation, path planning, and obstacle avoidance system for the vehicle. IntelliTech Microsystems, Inc. is teaming with the BAE Systems proposing an innovative and proprietary navigation and obstacle avoidance system for a recently developed state of the art vehicle by BAE Systems. During the Phase I effort, the UURC navigation, path planning, and navigation, situational awareness, and obstacle avoidance technologies, including the overall system architecture, sensors and sensor data processing algorithms, obstacle avoidance rules, logic and computational algorithms, and interfaces with the auto-pilot will be considered. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of the concept by model development and extensive simulation studies performed for the actual vehicle by BAE Systems. Phase II will involve validation and testing of the complete navigation and OAS system in sea trials in shallow water utilizing the UURC by BAE Systems.