Greensea Systems, a leader in advanced robotics solutions, has successfully showcased its capabilities in a mission aimed at detecting buried munitions within the surf zone, utilizing the Bayonet Ocean Vehicles Bayonet 250 Autonomous unmanned Ground Vehicle (AUGV).
This Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) survey highlighted the adaptability and efficiency of Greensea’s OPENSEA software,wich enabled the swift integration and deployment of a new sensor suite tailored for this specific task,while also demonstrating the robust features of the bayonet 250 AUGV.
Over the course of eight days, the mission spanned 18 square kilometers, navigating depths of up to 10 feet and wave heights ranging from 4 to 6 feet in the demanding surf zone. The Bayonet 250 served as a stable and dependable platform for the survey, which utilized a towed sled outfitted with White River Technologies’ marine APEX technology, seamlessly integrated into Greensea’s OPENSEA software framework.
The fast integration of the sensor sled enabled the detection and classification of objects buried up to 3 meters deep, based on their material properties.
Greg Schultz, Chief Technology Officer at White River Technologies, remarked: “We are thrilled with the recent achievements of crawler-based 3D electromagnetic sensing for advanced geophysical classification of munitions in challenging environments like surf zones. The synergy between autonomous amphibious crawlers, such as the Bayonet units, and the WRT APEX dynamic electromagnetic classification arrays, positions us to explore areas previously inaccessible to divers and towed systems.”
during the mission,the Bayonet 250 effectively identified buried targets by analyzing burial depth and signal signatures,underscoring its proficiency in detecting and classifying explosive threats both in the surf and on beach landing zones.
David Pearson, Program Manager at Greensea, expressed his pride in the accomplished demonstration, stating: “the success of this initiative and our ability to operate efficiently in the challenging surf zone is a testament to our team’s strength and our dedication to innovation.By swiftly integrating a new sensor for locating buried UXO and munitions, mobilizing an operations team, and gathering data under demanding conditions, we have proven our capability to identify and mitigate explosive hazards in one of the most dynamic operational environments. This accomplishment highlights the expertise of Bayonet, Greensea, and our partners in making the seemingly impossible achievable, establishing us as a trusted provider of solutions for maritime and underwater operations from the shore to the depths.”
The Bayonet 250 has been recognized as a finalist in the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)’s autonomous Amphibious Response Vehicle (A2RV) program’s rapid prototyping phase.Out of 67 submissions, the Bayonet 250 crawler prototype, developed in collaboration with Greensea, was selected for its outstanding performance and potential to detect, identify, and neutralize naval mines and other explosive threats in challenging surf and beach landing environments.