Royal Navy acquires a new UUV model

24 September 2007

The Royal Navy has acquired a new, unmanned vehicle which will enhance its ability to detect underwater mines and obstructions.

The navy has purchased two Remus 600 unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) from Hydroid LLC for £5.5m.

The vehicles can provide detailed mine detection and classification capability in the 30m to 200m depth range, although the vehicle can operate at depths of up to 600m. The batteries are re-chargeable which allows the vehicles to operate for over 70 hours consecutively. The Remus 600 can be deployed rapidly by air, sea or land as well.

Defence Equipment and Support officials hope that the Remus 600 reduces the risk to ships conducting operations. It is also expected that the new UUV will undertake a wide range of important tasks such as marine search and salvage operations and providing surveillance and security for ports and harbours. In addition the extensive number of sensors will allow the navy to use the Remus 600 to conduct hydrographic surveys and assessments.

The Remus 600 will be operated and managed by the Fleet Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Unit, based at HM Naval Base, Portsmouth. Officials have stated that it will not replace existing UUV systems but will be another “tool in the tool-bag”.