German Navy gets MacArtney ROTV

MacArtney has delivered a Focus 2 remotely operated towed vehicle (ROTV) to the German Navy for research and technology development, the company announced on 1 August.

The naval research institute (WTD 71) will use the system as a basic tool for development efforts in a number of areas including mine detection. 

Focus 2 has been delivered equipped with a number of the off-the-shelf products, including MacArtney LUXUS compact low light cameras, ORE Trackpoint 3 USBL transponder, Valeport MiniSVS sound velocity sensor and the Imaginex FL forward looking sonar. 

Following a successful demonstration of the unit with a Raytheon ProSAS synthetic aperture sonar, the system has been prepared for the installation of ProSAS, along with a Reson multi-beam sonar and Kearfott INS.

A interface system has also been developed for the integration of a range of WTD 71-developed sensors.

Focus 2 is designed to be towed at depths of up to 400 metres, transmitting data from on-board sensors to the surface in real time via the NEXUS based fibre optic multiplexer system. The low-drag cable also supplies the power and control data to the vehicle.

Torsten Turla, managing director of MacArtney Germany, said: ‘We consider it a unique opportunity for MacArtney’s engineering team to carry out the very positive and challenging teamwork with WTD 71.

‘Aiming to develop new underwater technologies for the German Navy, WTD 71 has stipulated a number of demands that we have done our utmost to meet. The result is most satisfactory to all parties involved and we look forward to continuing our good and productive working relationship with WTD 71.’