Royal Canadian Navy embarks with OFG on the demonstration of a mobile range with AUVs for warship signature management

OFG will deploy its Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) non-contact integrated Cathodic Protection (iCP) system and Self-Compensating Magnetometer (SCM) systems for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) for a demonstration of a mobile magnetic signature range.

Ocean Floor Geophysics Inc. (OFG) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a contract to test SCMs and its Underwater Electric Potential (UEP) system on an AUV to measure and model the magnetic and electric signatures of a non-combatant training vessel provided by the RCN. These systems are already deployed commercially by OFG as part of its AUV non-contact integrated Cathodic Protection (iCP) inspection system for subsea pipeline and structure inspection by AUV.

The results of the tests will be used to evaluate several scenarios to complement and extend current vessel signature measurement capabilities. Some scenarios contemplated by OFG include taking the range to the ship instead of the ship to the range, ranging for deployed unit to avoid costly detours and delays, and “quick looks” for suspected faults in degaussing systems, and the potential for use as part of an automated ship signature management system.

The data will be collected by OFG sensors integrated with the SOLUS-LR AUV, a long range AUV capable of long-range port to port missions, built by Cellula Robotics Ltd (CRL). In addition to sensor integration, CRL will provide engineering services, a remote operations piloting control centre, and their AUV support vessel Ranger for the field trials. The contract was awarded by Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) and will be executed under the supervision of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

Matthew Kowalczyk CEO of OFG stated “Adapting our industry proven SCM and iCP systems from AUV non-contact cathodic protection pipeline inspection to a warship signature management program is a great example of OFG’s expertise in marine magnetic and electric field measurement systems. The commitment of the Royal Canadian Navy to test the AUV SCMs in this application is a concrete example of Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged through their support of innovative Canadian people and companies.”

For more information on OFG visit www.oceanfloorgeophysics.com