Ocean Aero is developing "Submaran" - an innovative low-cost solution that promises long range, endurance and utility with reduced risk to personnel and impact on budgets.
The “Submaran” is a hybrid-unmanned vehicle that integrates the key functional and operational capabilities of a glider and a surface sailing vessel. The Submaran is a compact, 2.75 meters in length, 57Kgs, man portable vessel, powered by the wind and sun for propulsion, data collection and communications, with on board energy storage via lithium ion batteries. The vessel’s small size makes it is difficult to detect while operating on the ocean’s surface and nearly impossible to discover when fully submerged. The Submaran is designed to perform open ocean unmanned operations for mission periods of up to 9 months. The vessel may be launched from land, sea or air and is capable of self-navigating to any point for recovery. With a surface draft of only one meter, the vessel can operate very near to shore when necessary.
On the surface, the Submaran’s primary method of propulsion is a 2.45 meter, 360 degree rotational wingsail and embedded electric thrusters used for auxiliary propulsion and positioning. The vessel will be capable of maintaining course to within 3 meters of a given heading and maintaining a constant speed of up to 6 knots in light to variable winds. Surface operations will be practical up to sea state 4.
One of the vessel’s most unique and important operational capabilities is the ability to submerge during rough surface storm conditions, a tactic that enhances its survivability and durability. The vessel will also be capable of diving to a depth of 200 Meters and performing sub-surface missions for extended durations. The Submaran will have two method of sub-surface propulsion. It will be capable of level operations using embedded electric thrusters, similar to prop driven UUV’s. It will also be capable of operating as a long-range, low-power buoyancy glider.
The multiple hybrid operational technologies for both gathering power from the environment and surface, sub-surface propulsion methods will make the Submaran the most versatile Unmanned Marine System available.
For more information, visit us at www.oceanaero.us
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