Unmanned Systems Technology: ECA Group USV Inspector MK2, Multi-mission USV gives up its secrets

Peter Donaldson reports on how ECA Group unmanned surface craft forms the core of a selection of systems for a host of marine missions.

It is very hard to sell a USV in isolation, says ECA's USV product manager Vincent Clavier, because customers expect a complete capability.  With its Inspector MK2, though, ECA has developped such a capability.

Much more than a robotic boat, this purpose-built, optionnally manned surface vessel is designed to form the core of a capability that encompasses modular onboard sensors and effectors for a wide variety of missions, providing easy reconfiguration, support for and cooperation with other unmanned vehicles and integration into command and control networks.... Read the full article about ECA Group Inspector MK2 USV,

Written by Peter Donaldson, Published in Unmanned Systems Technology, February / March 2016

One of the underwater vehicles that the inspector MK2 can lauch and operate is the K-Ster C, an expendable mine-disposal ROV

Optionnaly manned, the vessel can be driven conventionnaly or autonomously with the onboard crew of up to six acting in supervisory mode

The Inspector MK2 running at speed in displacement mode. The yellow-and-black sensor is a side-scan sonar

ECA Group's IT180-3EL-I coaxial VTOL mini UAV is offered with the Inspector MK2 as part of a port coastal security system

The Seascan MK2 is another ROV that the Inspector MK2 can deploy, for remotely controlled underwater inspection operations at long range