OceanServer Technology Inc has recently delivered an Iver autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for the MODUM project supported under the Nato Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme.
The purpose of the MODUM is to move "towards the monitoring of dumped munitions threats in the baltic sea. The goal of the project is to establish a cost-effective, research-based monitoring network using underwater vehicles to enhance understanding about dumped munitions in the Baltic Sea, which pose both environmental and human security threats.
The Iver AUV is equipped with high resolution side scan sonar, a magnetometer and a full suite of environmental sensors utilizing the YSI Sonde 6600. This combination of sensors enables the AUV to identify likely munitions and take geo-registered environmental readings in close proximity to the targets.
Primarily, the vehicle will be operated out of The Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN) in Sopot, Poland.
Dumped Chemical Weapons pose an environmental and security hazard in the Baltic Sea Region. The Iver AUV should help determine the location of munitions (many of which are unknown), and allow for environmental impacts originating from corroded munitions to be continuously assessed.
The status of the munitions in the Baltic Sea area are of particular concern given the high ship traffic, impact on fish / fishing and development of offshore energy (ie…wind farms).
Nato-Country Project Director (NPD), Jacek Beldowski commented after the first few deployments, "The vehicle proved to be of use in an offshore environment, even during 1.5m waves, operating satisfactorily down to 120m depth.
The recovery cocoon demonstrated successful operation even at ships with 6m distance to the water. IVER 2 proved to be seaworthy up to Beaufort Scale 4.
OceanServer designs and manufactures a feature-rich family of low-cost Iver AUVs utilised for coastal applications, such as general survey work, sub-surface security, environmental monitoring, behavioural research and sensor development by both academia and military organisations. These modern AUVs are single man-portable and feature simple point-and-click mission planning.