Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite assumed his position as Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on May 19, 2016.As the USACE commanding general, he is responsible for more than 32,000 civilian employees and 700 military personnel who provide project management, construction support and science and engineering expertise in more than 110 countries.
UUV
UUV
From Unmanned Systems Magazine: U.S. Navy wants to boost unmanned systems on the surface, underwater to meet challenges
U.S. Navy leaders want to move promptly to the widespread use of unmanned surface and undersea vehicles to bolster its manned fleet, citing the growing threat of a new and complex international environment in which China, Russia and other countries are increasingly using commercial technology to gain military advantage.
The Navy sees its projected new vehicles, and a network that would link them, as helping to allow appropriate responses to nearly any maritime challenge, and thus ensure American naval superiority — but the major investment and fast pace it recommends have prompted questions from Congress and other parties.
BAE Systems purchases key assets of Riptide Autonomous Solutions
BAE Systems Inc. has purchased the key assets of Riptide Autonomous Solutions, which develops affordable UUV technology and platforms.
With a specialty in small UUVs, Riptide’s UUVs are described as “sophisticated yet simple, efficient, and highly flexible,” and offer “performance discriminators within this domain” that include greater depth, range, endurance, and speed.
“Adding Riptide's technological capabilities will position us to provide customers unmatched flexibility by offering a family of UUVs and integrated payload solutions capable of supporting a variety of critical missions,” says Terry Crimmins, president of BAE Systems Electronic Systems.
Cellula Robotics equipping its new UUV with technology from Sonardyne
Sonardyne Inc. has announced that its integrated navigation, positioning and communications technology will support Cellula Robotics’ new, fuel cell-powered long-range UUV, which is being designed for the Canadian defense department.
Known as Solus-LR, the UUV is being designed to be able to travel up to 2,000 kilometers, and stay submerged for missions stretching months at a time with support from an onboard fuel cell power pack.
Riptide Autonomous Solutions receives award for its UUV technology
Riptide Autonomous Solutions has earned Frost & Sullivan’s 2019 North American Strategy Innovation and Leadership Award for its UUV technology. This award comes just a few years after Riptide was recognized by Frost and Sullivan as the 2017 North America Product Leader in the UUV market.
As part of Frost and Sullivan’s recent UUV Market Study, Riptide was recognized for its continuing growth in the UUV market and expanded market presence. Riptide was also acknowledged for the expansion of its headquarters in Plymouth, Massachusetts, as well as the build out of its new manufacturing center.
GA-EMS to develop and demonstrate prototype LiFT battery system for Snakehead LDUUV
Advanced Technology International (ATI) has awarded General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) a contract to develop and demonstrate a prototype Lithium-ion Fault Tolerant (LiFT) battery system for the U.S. Navy’s prototype “Snakehead” Large-Displacement Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (LDUUV).
Built to increase endurance, range, and payload hosting capabilities in support of various future mission and operations requirements, the Snakehead LDUUV’s propulsion and support systems will be powered by the LiFT battery system.
LCS Mission Module Program successfully completes shipboard integration testing of unmanned systems
The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has announced that on Jan. 14, the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Module Program successfully completed shipboard integration testing of two unmanned systems on board USS Independence (LCS 2).
The Knifefish UUV and Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) are part of the Mine Countermeasures Mission Package (MCM MP), which targets specific portions of the water column and segments of the MCM detect-to-engage sequence using a system-of-systems approach.
During the integration events, the Knifefish UUV and UISS both successfully verified the communications link between Independence and the unmanned systems. Additionally, several launch and recovery evolutions from the ship were also executed.
PowerVision Technology Group unveils new unmanned water technology
During CES 2019, UAS, robotics and data technologies’ company PowerVision Technology Group announced its new water drone offerings, which include PowerDolphin, PowerRay, and PowerSeeker.
Each offering is equipped with its own unique capabilities.
Capable of capturing 4K photography and video, PowerDolphin is equipped with both intelligent fishing functions and water mapping functions. With its external mounting equipment, the platform can find fish, lure fish, and perform troll fishing. It can also directly tow hooks and lure fish to any desired location.
Additionally, PowerDolphin’s front nose has a 220-degree dual-joint rotation 4K camera, allowing it to capture photos or video above water and underwater.
Rite-Solutions selected to help US Navy develop future generations of UUV Family of Systems
A software development, systems engineering, information technology and learning development firm called Rite-Solutions has been selected to participate in a 5-year, $561.2 million contract to help the U.S. Navy develop future generations of its UUV Family of Systems (FoS).
Announced by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, the contract will develop core technologies in 12 functional areas including payloads, vehicle control, and command and control. Rite-Solutions was one of 23 companies selected to participate in the contract.
General Dynamics releases new Bluefin-9 autonomous UUV
During Oceans 2018 in Charleston, South Carolina on Tuesday, Oct. 23, General Dynamics Mission Systems released the new Bluefin-9 autonomous UUV.
Completely reengineered, the vehicle provides defense, commercial and academic customers with highly-detailed subsurface data in just minutes thanks to the combination of high navigational accuracy, outstanding sonar resolution, and precision manufacturing.
Capable of providing the same data collection capabilities of larger UUVs, the two-man portable Bluefin-9 autonomous UUV can be deployed and recovered from piers, a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) or other vessels of opportunity.
