What's next for the Pentagon after the Replicator programme?
Although the Replicator initiative has made several accomplishments, there are still multiple gaps to plug across the US Department of Defense (DoD) and its services.
H-AUV at Oceans 2016
General Dynamics Mission Systems has used the Oceans 2016 event in Monterey, California, to highlight the capabilities of the Bluefin Robotics Hovering-Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (H-AUV).
The H-AUV is designed to map, identify and locate structural issues on a ship's hull without the need to dry-dock the ship. It has application for large ocean going petroleum and chemical tankers, cargo ships, cruise ships and military surface and sub-surface vessels.
The system operates autonomously and navigates along piers, bridges and hulls. It streams, records and stores high-resolution images for use by for shipboard or shore-based operators. It can also carry out undersea observation for academic and archaeological research, underwater law enforcement investigations and port and harbour security.
Matt Graziano, director of autonomous undersea systems for General Dynamics Mission Systems, said: ‘Inspecting ship hulls and other underwater surfaces can be a manpower- and cost-intensive part of a ship's observation and maintenance. This H-AUV also reduces the risk to divers when inspecting potential threats attached to a ship's hull or other structure.’
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