UK Ministry of Defence to Acquire New UUVs

UK Ministry of Defence, Ships from Bristol has issued a tender for the provision of unmanned underwater vehicles.

The tenders are required to supply two unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) with side scan sonar and bathymetric capability (conductivity and temperature Sensors), navigation system, through water 2-way communication and stand alone command and control unit.

Furthermore, the UUVs should have the maximum weight of 45 kg and not to exceed 2,400 mm in length.

The UUVs should be able to operate on at least 100 meters depth, with 10 hours endurance, and 1.6GHz dual core processor, capable of processing 3rd party autonomy algorithms.

The UUVs are required to have a demonstrable pedigree of reliable and robust operation and evidence of cross-fleet in-water times assumed to exceed 2,000 operating hours.

The Value of the tender is approximately $2 million (£1,175,000).

The deadline for submission of tenders is October 31st, 2014 and the delivery time of no greater than 10 weeks from contract award.

Subsea World News Staff, September 19, 2014