The recently disclosed REMUS 620 medium-class navy Unmanned Underwater Vehicle from HII, an autonomous robotic submarine with artificial intelligence and an operational range of 275 nautical miles, may appear to be a fat torpedo. Still, there's more to it than meets the eye (316 mi, 509 km).
They have advanced significantly since underwater drones were essentially motorized television eyeballs controlled by a remote control at the end of a rope.
Today's machines are getting more advanced and have a wider variety of capabilities, which may mean that in the future, in addition to submarines frequently releasing and retrieving drones, traditional warships may be relegated to command centers supervising robotic submarine fleets.
AT SEA - JANUARY 29: In this handout provided by the U.S. Navy, the guided missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) stops for a personnel boat transfer on January 29, 2006, off the coast of Puget Sound, Washington. Media were transported to Ohio to see the new capabilities that the submarine now brings to the joint warfighter. Ohio is the first ballistic missile submarine to complete conversion to the new class of guided missile submarines (SSGN). Three other submarines are undergoing the SSGN conversion process, including USS Michigan (SSGN 727), Florida (SSGN 727), and Georgia (SSGN 729).
Specs of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle That Has Long Battery Life
The REMUS 620 expands on the REMUS 300's design ideas, which the US Navy recently selected as the program of record for the Lionfish Small UUV. Up to 110 hours of battery life are claimed for it.
HII said this provides unmatched mission capabilities for electronic warfare, hydrographic surveys, intelligence collection, and mine countermeasures.
According to reports, the REMUS 620 from HII has unrivaled multi-day endurance, range, and stealth. Compared to other medium-class vehicles, it can travel substantially longer because of its better battery life.
The drone also incorporates contemporary core electronics, navigation, and communication technologies for improved mission success.
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Defense Post said the REMUS 620 might launch and control other uncrewed vehicles or payloads from beneath the water and do underwater surveillance.
New Atlas also said the modular architecture makes it possible to swiftly change out batteries for alternate energy sources or quick turnaround times. The conventional synthetic aperture sonar unit can also be upgraded or changed according to the operation's needs.
The REMUS 620, according to HII, may be fired from helicopters, surface warships, amphibious ships, small crewed or uncrewed boats, and submarines. It is also capable of underwater robotic craft and payload deployment.
Purpose of Having UUV
Duane Fotheringham, president of Mission Technologies' Unmanned Systems business group, said the capacity to deliver a range of effects from underwater is necessary to preserve a strategic edge.
"The REMUS 620 is the first medium UUV designed to accurately deliver this range of advanced above-and-below water effects at long range," stated Fotheringham.
According to Interesting Engineering, a REMUS 6000 robot-aided researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in 2018 discovered around $17 billion in gold and other valuables that perished with a Spanish ship over 300 years ago.
The robot used its self-driving and sensing abilities. The boat belonged to the San Jose, a Spanish galleon.
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