Page 567 - The ROV Manual - A User Guide for Remotely Operated Vehicles 2nd edition
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566 CHAPTER 21 Practical Applications
FIGURE 21.3
REMUS AUV. (a) with all standard components and (b) in operation on surface.
Other companies developing AUVs for the SCM mission include Bluefin Robotics (USA), ECA SA (France), Hafmynd Ltd (Iceland), and Kongsberg Maritime (Norway), which recently acquired Hydroid, the developer of the REMUS AUVs.
21.1.3.1 Expendable MCM vehicles
Of particular interest is the second portion of the mission—the RIN. Four companies that have developed a “killer” ROV with use of projected energy include:
• BAE System’s Archerfish
• ECA SA’s K-Ster
• Kongsberg’s Minesniper
• Atlas Elektronik’s Seafox
An example of the methods in which these systems are used is provided in Figure 21.4.
In development within the United States is a new family of vehicles known as the “K2” family
of vehicles using projectile delivery as its primary means of mine neutralization.
Each of these systems will be described in more detail in the following sections. However, since all are similar in concept (i.e., they use an optical communication cable, have a speed of 67 knots, carry cameras, sonar, navigation systems, etc.), their pertinent physical and operational specifica-
tions are provided in Table 21.1.
21.1.3.1.1 Archerfish
The Archerfish (Figure 21.5), developed by BAE systems, is a fiber optically guided, single-shot mine disposal system (Figure 21.6) that is available in both exercise and warhead variants. Twin thrusters allow it to hover and transit. Maximum speed is 7 knots.
The US Department of Defense selected a team of Raytheon and BAE Systems for the demon- stration and development of the airborne mine neutralization system (AMNS). The AMNS will be integrated into the US Navy’s MH-60 helicopter.
