Oceanbotics’ SRV-8 underwater ROV (remotely operated automobile) is definitely no slouch, neither is its extra succesful sibling, the SRV-8X. The newest model of the automobile, the SRV-8 MDV, takes issues even additional – it blows up sea mines.

Introduced this week, the SRV-8 MDV (Mine Disposal Car) incorporates the prevailing Viper MDS system made by British marine engineering firm ECS Particular Initiatives. This is the way it works …

The surface-located operator begins by remotely piloting the SRV-8 MDV to the underwater mine in query, guided by each imaging sonar and a spotlight-aided HD digital camera.

As soon as the mine is situated, the ROV-mounted Viper module is frivolously touched towards it. Doing so triggers the Viper’s Nail Attachment Unit, which fastens a “cost disruptor” (a formed explosive cost) to the mine.

The ROV is then indifferent from the disruptor and guided a secure distance away, reeling out a spooled 3-mm-thick, aluminum-powder-filled “shock tube” (that also hyperlinks the 2) because it goes. The powder is then remotely ignited on the ROV-end of the tube, with the combustion quickly touring down the tube to the disruptor, which explodes together with the mine.

ECS Particular Initiatives

So far as the MDV’s non-mine-exploding specs go … nicely, it is the inventory SRV-8 mannequin. As such, it has a most depth score of 305 meters (1,000 ft), can run for six to eight hours on one cost of its two swappable battery modules, and is able to full 360-degree maneuverability due to its eight DVC (dynamic vector management) thrusters.

events can contact Oceanbotics by way of the firm web site.

Sources: Oceanbotics, ECS Particular Initiatives