Saab has been awarded a contract by the Polish Navy to deploy its Double Eagle system on the Kormoran II mine countermeasures vessel (MCMV).

Using a modular approach and open architecture to offer flexible systems for mine countermeasures (MCM) underwater vehicles and maritime security, the Double Eagle concept is aimed at providing a hydro dynamically stable, highly reliable system with advanced performance and economical lifecycle costs.

"The latest version of the system is capable of being operated both as a battery powered autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and a conventional tethered remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV)."

Saab Business Unit Underwater Systems vice-president and head Agneta Kammeby said: "This adds another navy to our client list for the Double Eagle system."

The latest version is capable of operating as a battery powered autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and a conventional tethered remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV).

Another feature in the AUV enables it to automatically dock with the tether while still in the water, which means that gathered information can be downloaded and batteries recharged without any unsafe launch and recovery missions.

Being offered in MkII, MkIII and Sarov versions, the Double Eagle has been in service with a number of navies in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and around the world, on several types of ships.

It has also been deployed as part of the craft of opportunities (COOP) concept, where it is incorporated in a container that can be installed on almost any type of ship.

Defence Technology