Indian Unmanned Naval Vessel Developments
- Thread starter Gautam
- Start date
Sagar Defence Autonomous Weaponized Boat Swarm (AWBS):
Now if they could make a version of this boat for mine countermeasure role. That would plug a big capability gap in the navy.
Now if they could make a version of this boat for mine countermeasure role. That would plug a big capability gap in the navy.
From DRDO to BPCL, India’s first underwater drone, EyeROV Tuna, finds many takers
Kerala-based startup develops India's first commercial portable drone that can be used for underwater inspections. Today, the robot comes very handy for location scouting for search and rescue mission, surveillance for the defence sector and for recreational purposes.
By Pranbihanga Borpuzari & Geetha Jayaraman, ET Online | Updated: Nov 28, 2019, 11.54 AM IST
The startup has successfully completed numerous projects like surveying dams for the Kerala State Electricity Board, oil pipeline bridge for BPCL and are working with the Fire and rescue department of Karnataka and Kerala state amongst others.
When the Defence Ministry started the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDex) programme last year, one startup stood out. An underwater robotic drone called EyeROV could spot a crack in the hull of a ship or damage to an oil pipeline and seemed like a great fit for the defence organisations.
iDex was started to create an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging with innovators and startups to deliver technologically advanced solutions for modernizing the Indian Military. A passion for robotics and to innovate something path-breaking was the driving force behind the development of EyeROV – India’s first commercial underwater robotic drone by two IIT post graduates. It was a match, waiting to happen.
Co-founder of IROV Technologies – Kannappa Palaniappan P was working as an on-board scientist with the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai, when he came across a Herculean task to survey the ocean floor and inspect the ship’s hull with an enormous drone weighing a tonne. This got him thinking that when we have the resources to develop a cost efficient satellite like Chandrayan, we can surely develop a portable drone that can be used for underwater inspection, surveillance and for search and rescue operations.
“When Kannappa suggested the idea of developing a simple machine to inspect the ship hull as compared to the many sophisticated bulkier equipment available in the market, we thought of developing a miniature version that can go up to 300 meters,” shares Johns T Mathai, CEO and co-founder, IROV Technologies, who worked in Samsung R&D Institute India and Grey Orange Pvt Ltd before foraying into the entrepreneurial venture.
In 2016, they pitched the idea to the Maker Village in Kochi, Kerala. Mathai says, “The idea got selected for the incubator program and we started working on the initial proof of concept and prototype.”
Finding depth
Their product EyeROV TUNA is India’s first commercial remotely operated underwater drone, which can send real-time video of ships and other underwater structures to help with their repair and maintenance. “The drone can navigate up to a depth of 50 meters to take real-time HD video images to examine underwater, thus eliminating the need for costly and riskier manual inspection by divers,” explains Mathai.
He adds that the rover is very light, which can be easily accessed and controlled with the supporting tether and connected to a laptop or a joystick. “A camera is fitted on the ROV (remotely operated vehicle) to give live video feed of the harsh and critical underwater environment. The drone moves at a speed of two knots, has a 6000 lumens LED lamps and a three hour plus battery life,” says Mathai.
The EyeROV TUNA weighs less than 10 kg and can be used to inspect ship hulls, ports, dams and nuclear power plants. Talking about the significance of EyeROV, Mathai says, “This product comes very handy for location scouting for search and rescue mission, surveillance for the defence sector and for research sectors like fishery and oil & gas.”
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For a hardware startup finding funding is usually the biggest problem, unlike a software startup states Mathai and adds, “Designing a prototype is way different from designing an actual product. The costing can go exponentially high.”
They developed the first prototype within seven months of inception, but failed because of various reasons. “The water environment is generally very hostile compared to the environment in space. You have various challenges like very high currents, zero visibility, so it is very tough for a normal prototype to survive in such hostile conditions,” points out Mathai.
The company got initial funding from BPCL project Ankur Startup Scheme and Kerala Startup Mission Idea Grant Scheme. They also received their first order from the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Lab under DRDO. “We received the order based on the second prototype. Though the prototype was not as per their requirement, but they gave us the order along with their requirement. Our idea was to develop a commercially viable product and since there was a demand for the same we had an advantage. That propelled us to a great extend.”
A sea of opportunities
Oil and gas industry is another major sector that the company is trying to capture as they have many underwater structures and pipelines that connects the refinery and the dock. “These pipelines and offshore structures are to be inspected on a regular interval for any kind of damages.”
This four year old company has also worked with the Mumbai Port Trust for identifying wreckage of ships. “We used our technology to find out sunken ship near the port. Within 3 days we were able to spot seven wrecked ships in the surrounding, which divers could have taken around a month or so to complete,” expresses Mathai.
Apart from cameras, EyeROV also use sonar technology to inspect the water environment. “The portable micro-class ROV can be used for underwater survey and visual inspection of submerged structures at depths up to 100 meters. We use sonar technology because in India the water bodies are generally very murky and sometimes it is very difficult to capture anything underwater, even in a close range. There are two types of sonar – imaging sonar and side scan sonar. Imaging sonar provides data of what is in-front while the side-scan sonar shows the bottom area.”
The startup has successfully completed numerous projects like surveying dams for the Kerala State Electricity Board, oil pipeline bridge for BPCL and are working with the Fire and rescue department of Karnataka and Kerala state amongst others.
With a specialised data analytics platform, EyeROV aims to spread their wings outside India capturing the global market and compete with the existing products. “Most of the companies that currently operate just collect the data and share it with the client. Generally, these videos are about six to eight hours long. So, it is very difficult for a person to sit and analyse. What we do is, we make the findings into a 3D image or a user intrusive platform where they can click and see. We focus on data analytics and present to the client a user-friendly result. We are also working on image enhancement. We have an expertise in data analytics,” states Mathai.
From DRDO to BPCL, India’s first underwater drone, EyeROV Tuna, finds many takers
Get ready for a groundbreaking reveal! Introducing #EyeROVTROUT by IROV Technologies at Swavlamban 2024; Leapfrogging in #maritime technology, progressing towards self-reliance in naval defence.
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looks like Trout model can go upto 300m depth impressive
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NSTL unmanned swarm vessels project 231 is at an advanced stage with the tech demo is now established. Will have several key applications covered.
(pic: NSTL DRDO)
(pic: NSTL DRDO)
Apparently, Sagar Defence have started delivering these boats to the Navy. Spotted near MDL:
12 of these boats were ordered in October 2023:
https://swarajyamag.com/defence/cut...onomous-swarm-boats-and-30-underwater-vessels
Delivery started with in a year. Good stuff.
The boat could have many other uses:
Commodore Golaya is rather pleased with how this project went. He was involved with this project since its inception through the Navy's
"SPRINT" program:
This project is moving fast:
Videos:
View attachment matangi_unmanned_boat.mp4
View attachment matangi_unmanned_boat2.mp4
Videos:
View attachment matangi_unmanned_boat.mp4
View attachment matangi_unmanned_boat2.mp4
We got some specs of the Matangi USV:
Length: 13 m
Fuel capacity: 1200 liters
Range: 1600 km +
Hull types: Aluminum alloy hull (for ISR missions), Glass fiber reinforced composite (for MCM), Reinforced Kevlar (for ASW).
Missions: ISR, ASW, MCM
Sensors/Comms: Solid state doppler radar, possible EO/IR sights, SATCOMs, collision avoidance systems.
Weapons: 12.7 mm RCWS, Loitering munitions, Light torpedoes.
Domestically designed & manufactured except the engines.
Indian Navy to Boost Underwater Capabilities with Indigenous AUVs by Sagar Defence Engineering
India's Indigenous Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), developed by Sagar Defence Engineering, are revolutionizing naval operations. These AI-powered drones enhance mine clearance, surveillance, and reconnaissance, offering increased efficiency and safety while reducing human involvement.
Written by Huma Siddiqui
December 2, 2024, 11:06 IST
Here finally maritime drone playing its role.
As the Indian Navy celebrates Navy Day later this week, the spotlight falls on a game-changing innovation developed by Sagar Defence Engineering — Indigenous Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). These advanced underwater drones, created under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, are set to revolutionize the way the Navy conducts critical missions such as mine clearance, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
In an exclusive conversation with FinancialExpress.com, Captain Nikunj Parashar, Managing Director and Founder of Sagar Defence Engineering, outlined how these AUVs are transforming the Navy’s operational capabilities. Designed to operate autonomously, these AUVs are equipped with cutting-edge sensors, AI, and advanced navigation systems, allowing them to perform complex tasks with minimal human intervention. From gathering real-time data to improving underwater situational awareness, the AUVs offer the Navy a strategic advantage in securing India’s maritime borders.
“The key benefit of these AUVs is their ability to carry out underwater missions without endangering human lives, while also lowering operational costs,” Captain Parashar said. “They can autonomously navigate pre-programmed routes, perform reconnaissance, and transmit essential data back to command centers in real-time, enabling faster and more accurate decision-making.”
These AUVs are designed to handle a wide range of missions, including mine countermeasures, environmental monitoring, and surveillance, making them invaluable for both military and commercial use. A standout feature is their ability to operate in swarms, where multiple AUVs collaborate and share information, improving the overall efficiency of large-scale tasks such as seafloor mapping and coastal surveillance.
With autonomous decision-making capabilities, the AUVs reduce the need for constant human oversight. Operators can focus on higher-priority tasks while the AUVs conduct missions with little to no manual intervention. This capability greatly enhances the Navy’s ability to monitor vast ocean areas, which is essential for national security.
These AUVs also have broad applications in the commercial sector, particularly in hydrographic surveys, underwater exploration, and environmental monitoring. They are ideal for inspecting undersea pipelines and conducting hull inspections, offering a cost-effective and safe alternative to manned operations.
“The versatility of these systems is a key factor in their adoption,” Captain Parashar explained. “Their lightweight design and advanced capabilities make them suitable for both military and commercial applications, ranging from asset inspection to complex research in deep-sea environments.”
The integration of AI-driven technology in these AUVs allows them to operate independently while still being able to adapt to changing environmental conditions. This autonomous behavior ensures that the AUVs are able to carry out detailed, long-duration missions, gathering crucial data without the constant need for human oversight. Furthermore, the system’s AI-powered sensors allow for better real-time data analysis, giving operators actionable insights and improving decision-making speed.
As part of their ongoing development, the AUVs are also being fine-tuned for swarm operations, where multiple units can operate together, coordinating their actions for more effective mission execution. This collective intelligence boosts the efficiency and coverage of reconnaissance missions, making the Navy’s underwater surveillance capabilities more robust than ever.
Looking ahead, the technology has the potential to expand into various industries beyond defense. Hydrographic companies, research institutions, and environmental agencies can leverage AUVs for tasks such as seabed mapping, monitoring marine life, and detecting pollution, making these systems highly adaptable.
Captain Parashar also noted that the development of these AUVs aligns with India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, underscoring the growing importance of indigenous technology in defense and national security. “This is not just about advancing naval capabilities; it’s about positioning India as a leader in autonomous defense technologies on the global stage,” he added. “By reducing dependence on foreign imports, these developments provide a clear path toward greater strategic autonomy.”
The creation of these AUVs highlights India’s growing technological expertise in the defense sector. By developing cutting-edge autonomous systems locally, India is not only meeting its defense needs but also fostering innovation, job creation, and high-tech manufacturing in the defense startup ecosystem. This will have lasting implications for national security and the global maritime landscape.
The integration of autonomous underwater technology into the Indian Navy’s arsenal is poised to enhance India’s maritime security significantly. With their ability to operate in diverse conditions, deliver real-time intelligence, and function with minimal human intervention, these AUVs will play a pivotal role in future naval operations. As the technology continues to evolve, the Navy’s reliance on these autonomous vehicles will only grow, providing new capabilities and opportunities for the nation’s defense.
https://www.financialexpress.com/bu...us-auvs-by-sagar-defence-engineering-3681765/
Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (“KSSL”) has entered into a Agreement with Edgelab S.p.A, Italy (“Edgelab”) on December 13, 2024 for the acquisition of 25% of Edgelab’s equity share capital, pursuant to its proposed initial public offer.
This is the same company which develops underwater UAVs with L&T
This is the same company which develops underwater UAVs with L&T