Defense Technology International - July 2007 - (Page 32)

WARFARE UNDERSEA it and to continue its mission while evading beach reconnaissance missions in 2007 and also be forward-looking mine-avoidance so2008. Tests in 2008-09 will prove the vehi- nar in the nose. the obstacle.” Marine life is very much a factor. “Dur- cle’s ability to detect and evade obstacles. The UUV on which the demonstrator For the detection and classification of will be based is to weigh about 1,200 kg., ing experiments with Redermor and other AUVs, we found that dolphins came to buried mines, Gesma is experimenting with be about 5.8 meters long, with a 0.7-meter play with the vehicles, sometime staying for Redermor 3, a third-generation AUV de- diameter. more than half an hour, dancing around it rived from a joint research project between Gesma is working closely in this program and even bumping against it,” Dabe says. the French agency and Qinetiq in the U.K. with Thales Underwater Systems, which is “You’d think they would be irritated by the Gesma will employ a new sonar that com- contributing mine-detection and classiﬁcaactive sonar transmissions, but we’re us- bines several technologies, notably paramet- tion algorithms and technologies, such as new ing such a high frequency that there is no ric sonar and synthetic-aperture sonar, to piezoelectric materials. One goal is to develop danger to the mammals. Still, we need to detect and classify buried mines. building blocks that can be used in future develop the right algorithms to allow the “The problem with buried mines is not mine-warfare systems, Thales reports. UUV to deal with encounters such as these so much detecting them but classifying The anti-mine autonomous vehicle Vama without jeopardizing its mission.” them,” says Dabe. This aspect will be aided (Vehicule Anti-Mines Autonome) is a joint As the ability to operate in littoral waters by combining parametric sonar transmis- program with Norway tasked with developbecomes more relevant to warﬁghting capa- sions and synthetic-aperture sonar receiv- ing an autonomous underwater munition bilities, conducting environmental that acts as a mine re-localization, identification and neutralization assessments of areas like a bay, in vehicle against bottom and moored which an amphibious landing or mines. It operates by acoustic comother operation is planned, is critical. munication from an operator and is One project, Covert REA (rapid environmental assessment), will employ equipped with an automatic target a new type of AUV for such tasks. ID based on very-high-frequency Gesma is working with the sonar. It includes a video camera. French navy’s hydrographic and ECA is the prime contractor. Other oceanographic service on this casuppliers include Kongsberg (Norpability, and ECA is building the way) Defense & Aerospace, which twin-engine Daurade vehicle that provides input from its Minesniper will be the test platform. The 5program, and Thales, which supplies meter- (16.4-ft.)-long, 1,010-kg. sonar-imaging technology. Norway’s (2,227-lb.) heavy vehicle is schedcounterpart to Gesma, the FFI deuled for delivery in September. It fense research establishment, is anis 70 cm. (27.6 in.) in diameter other participant. and will have 10-hr. endurance at Gesma has also been active in op4 kt. The maximum speed will be a erational evaluations of various unrelatively high 8 kt., permitting the manned vehicle applications. These AUV to deploy to an area quickly, include a small AUV for ordnance even in strong currents. Maximum disposal units, for which an AUV from Gavia of Reykjavik, Iceland, diving depth will be 300 meters and Dolphins occasionally frolic with AUVs. was used, and an unmanned surface the turn circle will be 15 meters. The vehicles’ high-frequency sonars don’t vessel for ﬁreﬁghting in naval and Acceptance trials for the Daurade harm the mammals, and developments in maritime environments. AUV began early this year and were self-navigation will interrupt the liaisons. The center has contributed to a followed with in-water trials in Brest ing, fusing high- and low-frequency sonar joint military utility assessment with the U.S. in June and July. Multi-sensor fusion and adaptive navi- techniques. Part of this is derived from a Navy for the Spartan unmanned surface vesgation are key words for the Covert REA collaborative research project Gesma per- sel, which is used for intelligence, surveillance project, says Dabe. “The idea was to put formed with TNO Defense, Security and and recon, force protection, mine warfare the maximum number of sensors on board Safety of the Netherlands. and anti-submarine warfare when equipped A mine countermeasures project, based with a Thales Flash active dipping sonar. to find the best possible combination for speciﬁc scenarios.” Among the sensors are on a contract awarded to Thales UnderA key program set for introduction is side-scan sonar, multi-beam echo sounder, water Systems and ECA last December, is DUBM-44, the mine-hunting and surveilbi-frequency echo sounder, a Doppler vector driving development of SACM (Systeme lance system developed by Thales Underwalog, obstacle-avoidance sonar, a camera and a Autonome de Chasse aux Mines). The aim ter Systems to keep the approaches to Brest chirp sub-bottom proﬁler. The latter aids in of this project is to develop a system that clear of mines. DUBM-44 will use three can detect, locate and classify mines with operating modes: conventional multi-beam interpreting side-scan sonar imagery. The sensors range in frequency from 4- an unprecedented level of decision-making side-scan, synthetic-aperture side-scan and 400 KHz., and all are off-the-shelf. But the autonomy. It will feature goal-driven mis- multiple-aspect side-scan sonars, according “really new thing,” Dabe says, is the integra- sion planning, automatic target recogni- to Benoit Zerr, chief scientist for mine countion and multi-sensor data fusion that is to tion, enhanced navigation and high-data- termeasures at Gesma. Gesma has participated with Redermor be employed. “The idea is to get directly rate acoustic communications. The AUV relevant data products for the REA process; demonstrator will use synthetic-aperture in international UUV demonstrations, most data that can be readily made available to sonar technology; the approximately 1.65- notably a campaign in Eckernforde, Geramphibious or MCM planning.” meter-long array is to be mounted below the many, in 2003, and one known as Explora The Covert REA vehicle will demonstrate forward part of the UUV’s body. There will in Brest in 2005. I 32 DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL JULY/AUGUST 2007 GESMA www.aviationweek.com/dti http://www.aviationweek.com/dti

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Defense Technology International - July 2007

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