Hydronalix has announced that its unmanned maritime technologies were recently assessed by the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) during the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2021 exercise held in Germany. The evaluation included the EMILY, Amy, and Nix unmanned surface vessels (USVs), along with the Adapt unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), focusing on their effectiveness in mine countermeasure operations and various other missions.
The EMILY (Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard), typically utilized for rescue operations, was outfitted with side-scan sonar to identify potential threats like explosive devices in shallow waters.Although EMILY was deemed too compact for the Marine Corps’ explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) needs, the larger Amy model proved to be well-suited for integration with sensors and dialog technologies, including acoustic, satellite, and radio frequency systems, thereby enhancing connectivity between divers and unmanned units within a broader network.
nix, a compact USV capable of carrying substantial payloads, can be programmed for autonomous navigation to designated waypoints while transporting critical supplies such as ammunition, food, batteries, medical kits, or sensors. This vessel can be towed by Marines behind a manned craft and returned to base as necessary. It is indeed powered by a hybrid fuel-electric system,which significantly extends its operational endurance.
Master Sgt. Matt Jackson, an EOD technician with the USMC’s 4th Platoon Littoral Explosive Ordnance Neutralization (LEON) team, emphasized the importance of understanding the underwater habitat: “We need to have the right tools to detect and analyze what lies beneath. Our goal is to empower our Marines to survey coastal waters effectively and provide the navy with crucial intelligence to enhance fleet operations. The challenge lies in capacity; to execute Distributed Maritime Operations effectively, we require more sensors.”
“By showcasing these systems to the Marine Corps, we may inspire other Marines to consider how Amy could be beneficial for their operations, whether for signal processing, data recording, or jamming. The same applies to Nix; Marines will undoubtedly discover innovative uses for it,” he added.
The Adapt is a short-range, one-way disposable UAV that can be autonomously controlled via a smartphone or tablet. Tony Mulligan,CEO of Hydronalix,highlighted the drone’s user-friendly design: “Ther’s no need for a pilot,ground station,or even a radio. If a Corpsman needs to deliver plasma or morphine to a unit three miles away, they simply load the drone, select the landing spot, and it will navigate directly to that location. In scenarios where areas have been ravaged by natural disasters, making helicopter landings unsafe, these drones can effectively transport water or food to remote or affected regions.”
