Royal Marines Use Canadian Firm's Sonar and Navigation System

source asdnews.com

Jun 29 2011 David Pugliese’s Defence Watch

Earlier this year the Canadian firm, Shark Marine Technologies Inc., delivered a significant quantity of their Navigator, diver held sonar and navigation systems, to the British Royal Marines.

Here are more details from Shark Marine:

The Navigators will be used by the marines as a Rapid Beach Profiling System (RBPS), to collect shoreline bathymetric data in advance of landing operations. The Navigators were pre-configured to be used either transom-mounted on a fast, shallow water vessel for rapid data collection or swimmer/diver portable for stealth operations. The data collected is displayed in a format that is easily interpreted by the operator in the field and transmitted back to the command for more complete interpretation and exploitation.

The use of the Navigators will greatly enhance the rate of data collection by the Marine’s reconnaissance teams as well as the overall accuracy of the data, which is also time- stamped for post processing purposes. Routes may be pre-programmed for guidance and the operator’s actual track is recorded to ensure complete coverage. The collected data may then be directly overlaid onto existing charts to provide the user with a visual bathymetric profile of the shoreline for subsequent beachhead operations.

The Navigators’ Divelog software supports many different chart formats, including but not limited to, GeoTiff, Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC), BSB charts, ARCS charts and the Shark Marine Technologies map file type “Shark Map”. Divelog can also import and calibrate images and satellite maps.

The processed data may be clearly displayed in two graphic formats, a beach-gradient profile or a Plan View display.

The Plan View illustrates a graphic representation of the approach to the beach. An easy to read, colour scale, allows the operator to clearly discern the progressive changes in depth. Movement of the cursor over an area on the display will provide the operator the GPS co-ordinates of that location. The profile is displayed as the swimmer or boat operator traverses the bottom to allow for immediate decisions as to suitability.

While the Navigator is currently used by many NATO and NATO friendly countries for underwater security and mine countermeasure operations, the British Marines are the first to order them configured specifically for beach reconnaissance.

ABOUT THE NAVIGATOR

The Navigator is a modular Window’s based system with standard computer interfaces which allow the easy integration of numerous accessories. Controlled by Shark Marine’s DiveLog software the basic Navigator often includes a Blueview, high-resolution imaging sonar, a rechargeable NiMH battery pack and charger, tool kit and rugged shipping case. Internal sensors include a compass, heading, pitch and roll and depth sensors. Additional “plug and play” devices including GPS are readily available. All information may be displayed on the Navigators built-in 6” LCD display or on the optional head mounted display. Standard computer interfaces include USB 2.0, RS232/485, Ethernet, a QXGA external video port, as well as both WiFi and Bluetooth for wireless communications. Readily available accessories include a USB attached Digital Video/Still camera, digital magnetometer, gradiometer, radiation detector, a floating GPS and both a Long Base Line and Doppler system for accurate positioning applications.

The Navigator’s DiveLog software gives the operator easy control over the attached accessories. Toggled operational screens allow rapid selection between the sonar, map, and an auxiliary device. As the diver follows uploaded pre-mission data on the map display, the Navigator simultaneously records and displays his actual route. Drop-down charts allow him to record quick descriptions of targeted objects along with any associated photos, video or sonar imagery. Divelog interfaces with SeeTrack Military and other mission planning software for exchange of target location and positioning information, as well as route planning and track recording details.

Shark Marine Technologies Inc. has been creating new and innovative underwater technologies since 1984. These include video systems, remote operated vehicles, tether management devices and sonar survey systems.