Cellula Robotics Advances with Long-Range Underwater Vehicle Progress

Cellula Robotics has received the green light to advance to phase three of a contract facilitated by Public Services and Procurement Canada,representing the Department of National Defense’s (DND) science and technology division,Defence research and Development Canada (DRDC). This phase is part of the All Domain Situational Awareness (ADSA) Science & Technology (S&T) program. During this stage, Cellula will focus on the creation of a long-range Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV), named Solus-LR, which will feature a fuel cell power system and a suction anchoring mechanism. The UUV is designed to achieve an extraordinary operational range of 2000 kilometers and is intended for extended missions lasting several months underwater.

Innovative Solutions for Cost-Effective Operations

Eric Jackson, the President of Cellula, stated, “This S&T initiative will highlight Cellula’s cutting-edge research and development in UUV technology, merging established methods with groundbreaking power and anchoring innovations. With the Solus-LR capable of covering vast distances,missions that span from one port to another will emerge as a more economical option to customary vessel-based operations.”

Progressing Through design and Testing Phases

Recently, Cellula successfully completed the preliminary design review for the Solus-LR and is now moving into the critical design phase. Insights and technologies developed during earlier phases focused on fuel cells and suction anchoring will be further refined and integrated into this project.

Timeline for Development and Testing

The design phase is expected to extend into early 2019, followed by the construction and factory testing of the UUV. Sea trials, along with a demonstration of its capabilities, are scheduled to take place in Indian Arm, British Columbia, with completion anticipated by April 2020.