iXblue and ECA Group demonstrate subsea asset tracking in Poland using the Gaps M7 USBL and R7 ROV (pictured). (iXblue)
iXblue and ECA Group conducted a successful demonstration of subsea asset tracking in shallow waters to the Polish Naval Academy.
The demonstration utilised ECA Group R7 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and iXblue Gaps M7 ultra-short baseline (USBL) positioning system, iXblue announced on 26 July.
An iXblue spokesperson informed Janes that the demonstration was held on 28 June in Gdynia harbour in the Baltic Sea during the US Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) 2022 conference.
Hosted by Polish company Thesta and organised for the Polish Naval Academy and US NAVSUP 2022 attendees, the trial was intended to showcase the accurate positioning of underwater targets in potentially hostile coastal environments.
According to iXblue, the R7 ROV was submerged in shallow and congested waters with the Gaps M7 USBL system deployed to geolocate the ROV and correct its trajectory in real time. A transponder was also placed several hundred metres away from the vessel.
The trials were undertaken at depths of between 7 and 10 m, surrounded by docks and vessels, which caused a considerable level of acoustic noise. Despite this, the positioning of the ROV and the transponder remained stable and accurate, the company detailed.
The Gaps M7 USBL system ensured horizontal tracking capabilities with omnidirectional coverage and 200° acoustic aperture, iXblue said.
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