Andy Covey from Wavefront Systems sat down with UST to share details about their collaboration with L3Harris and Voyis, creating a combined AUV payload for mine countermeasure operations by incorporating the Solstice MAS™ – Multi-Aperture Sonar as part of the system.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to us today. You recently collaborated with L3Harris and Voyis to develop the Recon LS/Wavefront Solstice MAS Combined AUV payload for mine countermeasures (MCM). What challenges was this collaboration designed to address?
Our collaboration with L3Harris and Voyis was designed to address several challenges in the field of mine countermeasures (MCM) operations.
MCM operations involve four stages: detection, classification, identification, and disposal/neutralization.
Currently, side-scan sonar is used for mine detection and sometimes for classification. However, visual identification requires a clearance diver or remotely operated vehicles to enter the minefield, which is time-consuming and risky, especially in areas with complex seabed.
The system uses our Solstice MAS™ – Multi-Aperture Sonar, a 4K digital still-camera, and a high-resolution laser scanner to carry out this task. This reduces the risk to divers as it allows for autonomous underwater vehicles to covertly detect, classify, and identify mine-like objects (MLOs).
Also, deploying multiple resources into a potentially hazardous environment can be inefficient when relying on lower-quality sensor data, and is dangerous for the people mobilizing assets in the operation.
Can you tell us more about how the combined AUV payload overcomes these challenges and the advantages it delivers to NATO’s AUV capabilities?
The payload consists of a single, integrated forward payload section, housing Voyis’ compact dynamic laser scanner and 4K imaging system, as well as our Solstice MAS. This integrated system allows for efficient data collection and processing, enhancing NATO’s AUV capabilities.
Solstice provides high-resolution, dependable imagery ideal for wide-area search and classification. The Voyis compact dynamic laser scanner works alongside Solstice to capture high-resolution 3D point-cloud data.
The Voyis 4K imaging system captures crisp, evenly illuminated still images with its edge-computed image enhancement feature. This high-resolution data allows for accurate identification of mine-like objects (MLOs) cued from the Solstice MAS.
Our Solstice MAS delivers 200m-wide sonar swath coverage and bathymetry at high resolution. This wide coverage allows for efficient scanning of large areas. The integrated systems covertly detects, classifies, and identifies MLOs. This reduces risks by minimizing the need for divers or remotely operated vehicles to enter potentially hazardous minefields.
The payload is designed to rethink how MCM operations are conducted today. It enables single assets to complete complex missions without deploying additional resources within the minefield. This improves the efficiency of MCM operations.
The L3Harris’ Iver4 900 vehicle provides the payload with both stability and endurance. This allows NATO AUVs to operate in harsh environments and carry out a range of missions, including search and rescue, surveillance, mine countermeasures, and oceanography.
Wide area shot of the seabed and zoom window showing an aircraft wreck
What specific benefits does the Solstice multi-aperture side-scan sonar bring to MCM operations?
Unlike coherent synthetic aperture sonars, the Solstice MAS delivers imagery that is free from coherent speckle-type noise. The system provides high-quality imagery even on smaller autonomous vehicles, operating in difficult littoral environments. The world-class sonar imagery uses proprietary software processing, together with unique physical sonar array technology.
Solstice is simple to use and makes mission planning easy. The area coverage rate increases with speed while the range remains constant. This makes the survey outcome more predictable and easier to manage.
The system consumes just 18 Watts (an additional 8 Watts with full on-board processing), maximizing vehicle endurance.
Solstice is widely considered a force multiplier for MCM operations, enabling substantially higher area coverage rates (ACR) using low-cost, low-logistics autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
In terms of customization, what options do you offer for tailoring sonar payloads to specific AUV missions or environmental conditions?
Our Solstice S4000-300 is a unique MAS designed to provide world-class imagery. The system blends the high performance of Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) with the reliability and robustness of conventional side-scan. This makes it ideal for actively stabilized towed vehicle platforms, such as the EIVA Equinox or larger AUVs.
Additionally, our Solstice S3000L-300 provides near SAS quality imagery and is used with a towed body or autonomous vehicles with an operating envelope down to 300m depth. The system is also designed for use on autonomous vehicles with a depth rating down to 600m.
It’s been great talking to you about the latest integration of your Solstice MAS in the combined AUV Payload for MCM, thank you for the insights.
