Underwater naval warfare systems on show
Saab is leading the world with underwater warfare training technologies, mine counter measures and monitoring missions. Saab’s design and manufacture experience with underwater systems also extends to modern submarines while the entire naval portfolio encompasses air, surface and underwater environments.
"We have seen increased interest in our unmanned underwater solutions over the previous few years", says James Lawless, Senior Sales Director-Maritime.“In the Asia Pacific region, the Double Eagle mine counter measure (MCM) remotely operated underwater vehicle and our anti-submarine warfare training system, the AUV62-AT (autonomous underwater vehicle) are gaining a lot of attention”.
The Saab Double Eagle Mine Disposal System remains the reference for remotely operated MCM with a range of up to 1 km and an operating depth down to 500 m. Powerful propulsion enables underwater speeds of up to 6 knots to ensure the Double Eagle can operate in the harsh maritime operational areas of Australia and the region.
Saab provides a variety of upgrades for the Double Eagle to counter the contemporary mine threat, including Forward Looking Sonar, High Resolution Bathymetry, 3D and laser imaging are all potential payloads that allow the collection of high quality intelligence data on mine types, configuration and deployment that is beyond any one-shot system capability. With readily-available upgrades to its propulsion and sonars, new digital control and interfaces, the Double Eagle will be ready to face any mine threats into the future.
There is also a strong regional focus on Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) that generates considerable demand for these specialised abilities and training. This is where the AUV62-AT training system, which will be on show at Pacific 2019, is a unique asset for any Navy.
The system utilizes an autonomous vehicle similar in size to a heavy weight torpedo to mimic the active and passive signatures of a submarine. This allows realistic ASW training whenever and wherever a defence force requires without the need for access to a real submarine. “The AUV62-AT can also replicate a target for dynamic torpedo firings and allow a comprehensive analysis of the engagement”, says James Lawless.
The manoeuvring training target system replaces a conventional submarine, which would otherwise be a massive logistical exercise and cost to involve. The vehicle transmits a broadband noise comparable to the noise of a conventional submarine and active sonar pings received by the vehicle are echoed back with realistic target strength and echo elongation.
The AUV62-AT system has an acoustic dynamic range large enough to allow comprehensive ASW training with multiple sonars, surface vessels, helicopters and torpedoes operating together with simultaneous active sonar transmissions.
The short re-preparation time on-board allows the system to be continually operated for as long as the exercise requires. The vehicle is programmed to follow a pre-defined route, or adapt for sensor interaction while operating rule-based to solve a specific task within a pre-defined area. Examples of sophisticated features are obstacle avoidance and a high degree of positional accuracy.
The modular design offers readily-adaptable conversions for MCM missions, sea bottom mapping, rapid area assessments or the like through swappable payloads which can be changed locally.
Visit Saab's booth at Pacific 2019 to find out how the Double Eagle and AUV 62-AT can extend your naval warfare skills.