DALO Press Release
The LAUVs will be used by the Danish Navy Command’s Mine Counter Measure unit (MCM) on the Holm-class mine countermeasures vessels (MSD). The new LAUVs are used when the MCM unit has to search for and blast mines on the seabed.
The underwater drones can sail up to eight hours at a time and must primarily operate at a depth of 4-10 meters, but can operate all the way down to a depth of 100 meters. When the unit has to search for mines, all six LAUVs can be set up at the same time, after which they themselves calculate how to search the seabed within a given area.
Five of the drones have side scan sonar modules, which are used to scan the seabed and locate the mines. In addition to this sonar, the latest drone also has a so-called ID functionality, which can take high-resolution photos as well as laser scan any threats on the seabed.
When the underwater drones are put into the sea, they communicate with each other so that if one finds something, it can even summon the LAUV who can take a photo of the object. This feature has not yet been acquired, but is expected to be implemented soon.
The underwater drones are 2.1 m long, 15 cm in diameter and weigh 30 kg each. The first three LAUVs will be delivered in the first quarter of 2022, where various tests and operator courses are planned. The drones are expected to be operational by summer 2022.
