General Dynamics Bluefin Robotics designs and sells five models
within their highly sophisticated autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) series
known as Bluefin. The most recent addition to this series is the Bluefin 21,
pictured below:
The vast majority of AUVs and Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles
(ROVs) are designed with a single exterior shell. The Bluefin 21 is designed to
house the propulsion system, payload and battery modules in separate sections,
allowing for ease of payload and battery transitions while out at sea. This
provides the ability for the AUV to be reconfigured and placed back into
service very rapidly.
The Bluefin 21 operates on a Graphic User Interface based tool
suite. This software package interfaces between the Bluefin 21 and the
operator. It enables the operator to plan the mission, monitor the AUV during
parts of the mission, manage the data collected by the AUV and the payload
sensors (if they are being stored in the tool suite), as well as conduct a post
mission review. The internal data for the system is stored on a 4 gigabyte
flash drive.
The Bluefin 21 has over 70 sensor payloads engineered into the
design. The most common exteroceptive sensor suite on the 21 is an "EdgeTech 2200-M 120/410 kHz side scan sonar, an
EdgeTech DW-216 sub-bottom profiler and a Reson 7125 400 kHz multibeam echo
sounder" (General Dynamics, 2016). The data can be collected and stored on
board via a solid state drive. This can be uploaded while on the surface via an
RF, Iridium or acoustic antenna; or can be transferred via an Ethernet cable (General
Dynamics, 2016).
The Edge Tech 2200 side scan sonar and the DW-126 sub-bottom
profiler can either use the AUV's power supply, from which they draw very
little, or can contain their own power source. The side scan sonar can be
placed within the pressure hull or attached externally. The system is designed
so the side scan sonar and sub-bottom profiler can operate in coordination
with each other or independently.
"The 200 kHz Reson 7125 multibeam echo sounder requires 48V DC 58W (Provided by sonar
processor) 110/220 VAC 50/60Hz, 300W and takes up minimal space -
Receive Array: 102 x 496 x 131 mm; Transmit Array: 100 x 259 x
117 mm; Link Control Unit: 530.9 x 174 mm; and the 7-P
Processor: 431 x 146 mm." (Reson Seabat, n.d.)
Bluefin Robotics has an established system in place to ensure the
sensor suites are integrated into the overall AUV strategy from the outset. The
design of the AUV's "payload hardware interface" allows for a virtual
plug and play for payloads from vendors who commonly work with Bluefin Robotics
to newly designed payload/sensor systems from first time vendors. The engineers
from various disciplines within Bluefin Robotics review and analyze the sensor
suites to ensure system compatibility and ease of operation. This also includes
data processing considerations. The Bluefin 21's power and communications
center allows for interaction with new suites without requiring extensive redesign.
This innovative design enables the use of the Bluefin 21 for a
myriad of applications to include: Search and Salvage, Oceanography;
Exploration; Mine Countermeasures and Unexploded Ordinance Detection (General
Dynamics, 2016).
References:
Bluefin-21 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), United States of
America. (2016). Retrieved from
http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/bluefin-21-autonomous-underwater-vehicle-auv/
General Dynamics Mission Systems (2016). Bluefin Robotics,
Bluefin-21. Retrieved from
http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/vehicles-batteries-and-services/bluefin-21
General Dynamics Mission Systems (2016). Bluefin Robotics,
Bluefin-21. Retrieved from
http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/assets/Uploads/Maritime-Bluefin-21-UUV-01-0416.pdf
General Dynamics Mission Systems (2016). Bluefin Robotics,
Bluefin-21. Retrieved from
http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/technology/sensor-integration/
RESON SEABAT 7125 HIGH RESOLUTION MULTIBEAM ECHOSOUNDER. (n.d.) Retrieved from
www.oceanscan.net/RESONSEABAT7125MULTIBEAMECHOSOUNDER%20(1).pdf
www.oceanscan.net/RESONSEABAT7125MULTIBEAMECHOSOUNDER%20(1).pdf
