Data Gathering Autonomous Vessel Delivered to Royal Navy

By Mike Ball / 05 Feb 2019
L3 ASV C-Enduro USV
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L3 ASV C-Enduro USV

L3 ASV has announced the successful delivery of a long-endurance autonomous vessel known as the C-Enduro to the Royal Navy. The C-Enduro USV (unmanned surface vessel) will be used for military data gathering trials by the Mine countermeasures and Hydrographic Capability (MHC) programme as the Navy seeks to exploit autonomous technology.

“We are proud to support the Royal Navy in their plans to explore the uses of marine autonomy as they continue to invest in new and exciting technology,” said Vince Dobbin, Sales and Marketing Director for L3 ASV. “This vessel is an evolution of our existing C-Enduro product range and provides the unique capability to collect a variety of data during any one mission over extended periods.”

The 4.8-metre autonomous vessel is equipped with 10 sensors combining scientific and hydrographic survey equipment. The vessel operates using L3 ASV’s proprietary control system, ASView, and is fitted with L3 ASV’s advanced autonomy package, ensuring situational awareness and smart path planning. ASView enables a range of autonomous control modes, including line following, station-keeping and geofencing.

“The different ways in which the C-Enduro can be operated will allow the Navy to test and develop the ability of an autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessel to effectively gather important hydrographic data and potentially form part of a future capability to be delivered by the MHC programme,” said Alex du Pre, MHC Team Lead at Defence Equipment and Support.

This project marks the fourth delivery of a C-Enduro vessel, and previous successful missions include an 11-day over-the-horizon marine science mission north of Scotland for the National Oceanography Centre.

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact
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