USA: OceanServer Unveils New AUV with L-3 Klein’s UUV-3500 Side Scan Sonar

OceanServer Technology has unveiled a new “Base42” vehicle equipped with the L-3 Klein UUV-3500 High Resolution side scan sonar. This new Iver2 AUV model incorporates increased battery capacity for extended mission time, a higher capacity 120 GB Solid State drive for logging days of imagery, an external USB port for rapid data access, and OceanServer’s SonarMosaic software used for on-scene viewing and post-mission analysis.

The UUV-3500 Sonar, introduced by L-3 Klein Associates earlier this year, provides both exceptional range and resolution, and operates as a true dual frequency simultaneously recording sonar. This sonar is available in a size-weight-power package that surpasses existing single-beam systems employed on legacy shallow water AUVs. The system’s 455 kHz and 900 kHz operating frequencies provide extended swath capabilities at higher resolution to dramatically increase coverage rates. This “game changing” capability is ideally suited for shallow waters and resolution-intensive applications such as mine countermeasures (MCMs), debris mapping, and general imaging of the seabed. AUVs with modern sonars like the UUV 3500 can accurately and completely cover large areas of the seabed with minimum on-site support, and create geo-registered records for post-processing in any preferred analysis software.

Dr. Timothy J. Alavosus, Director of Sales and Marketing at L-3 Klein Associates notes, “the UUV-3500 system is consistently achieving very high-resolution imagery out to 75 or 80 meters per side using 900 kHz. That’s about a 50 percent improvement over anything available in the marketplace today. We are very pleased to offer such a robust capability on a cost effective platform like the Iver2 AUV.”

L-3 Klein Associates, located in Salem, N.H. is a leading sensor technology provider that manufactures and designs high-resolution sonar systems, marine navigation systems, and radar-based security and surveillance systems. With over 40 years of experience, L-3 Klein’s customers include commercial, government and military organizations, shipping and offshore oil companies and related support contractors, maritime facilities, academic institutions, and underwater vehicle manufacturers.

The Iver2 Platform

All Iver2 AUV models come standard with OceanServer’s VectorMap Mission Planning and Data Presentation and logging tool, which provides geo-registered data files that can be easily exported to other standard software analysis tools. This unique AUV design has enabled OceanServer to secure a leading position in the research space for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. The VectorMap program is compatible with NOAA ENCs or any geo-referenced charts, maps or photo images. His allows the operator to intuitively develop AUV missions using simple point-and-click navigation.

The base vehicle, with a starting price at just over $50,000 USD, gives university, government and commercial users an affordable base-platform for sensor development or survey applications in water quality, sub-surface security and general research.

About OceanServer

OceanServer provides OEMs with innovative power solutions, sensors and robotics for a variety of applications. OceanServer’s products are designed to be cost effective and easy to integrate into customer equipment. Fully engineered and well-documented subsystems can dramatically reduce time-to-market and enable new and innovative solutions for real-world application challenges. OceanServer Technology is headquartered in Fall River, Massachusetts.

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Subsea World News Staff , December 04 , 2011; Image: OceanServer