Unmanned system technology : ECA Group Tests Towed Side Scan Sonar System on USV

Published on Unmanned System Technology, May 2017

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Installed on the aft deck of the USV, the mid-size towed side scan sonar was deployed using a  LARS (launch and recovery system) at depths of up to 100m. The system was tested at various speeds and depths and in harsh sea environments including sea state 3.

The solution is designed to be remotely monitored from a ground workstation through the USV radio link, providing highly accurate seafloor images. The LARS comes with an auto altitude mode and automatic obstacle avoidance. Using internal sensors coupled with an Ultra Short Base Line (USBL) positioning system, the Towed Side Scan Sonar can be 3D positioned in real time, and can geolocalize and time-stamped sonar data.

The Inspector mk. 2 is a compact USV that is capable to gather and transmit in real time 2D or 3D images from the seafloor while travelling at speeds of over 10 knots. Being small, it can be easily shipped and deployed.

Equipped with the TOWSCA system, many applications can be carried out such as seafloor mine detection in Mine Counter Measure (MCM) missions, or wreck or debris location in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

Learn more : ECA Group demonstrates successfully its Towed Side Scan Sonar System - TOWSCA solution