UK trials robot for subsea pipeline defence
Surge in sabotage attacks across European waters prompts governments to step up critical infrastructure protection
The UK's Royal Navy has trialled a remote operated vehicle to clear unexploded ordnance and tackle sabotage threats against subsea pipelines and cables, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The commercially available ROV, adapted by the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory and commercial partners, can scan the seabed for hazards, carry out controlled bomb disposal and relay video and sonar images back to the operator.
“This unique capability with its sensors, tools and cameras will give operators a real time ability to deal with these underwater hazards in a safe, effective and efficient way,” the ministry said.
The ROV, developed in conjunction with Alford Technologies, Atlantas Marine, Sonardyne and ECS Special Projects, can be launched from a ship or the shore and can operate at depths beyond the reach of divers, creating a safer way to remove hazards from the seabed.
Following the completion of successful trials in Horsea Island, Portland Harbour, South Wales and Norway, the new technology and systems developed will now be deployed with other robots to identify and deal with threats to subsea infrastructure.
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