Modular underwater vehicle finishes sea trials

The Phantom II travels on UK-based Dynautics’ autopilot technology and can be scaled to different payload requirements, the company said.

The AUV has been developed for a range of applications including hydrographic survey and subsea infrastructure surveys, and its modular design will allow it to undertake multiple missions or tasks, a spokesperson told Maritime Journal.

Powered by lithium batteries, Phantom II has a rated depth of 100 metres, endurance of 12 hours at four knots and it is not tethered. Its modular design has been achieved with 3D modelling and simulation to customise designs based on client needs, which reduces risk.

Positioning is achieved through ultrasound communication and/or dead reckoning, and Dynamic Positioning solutions facilitate pin-point station keeping.

Dynautics, which will exhibit at Seawork next June for the first time with Phantom II, was founded in 1996 as H-Scientific Ltd, when it launched its Sim & Ship Sim (vessel simulator) products, which it says create the most efficient hull and propulsion configurations depending on client needs.

In 2000, its first Uncrewed Surface Vehicle was approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for use in the Ministry of Defence, and in 2018 it launched an ‘E-boat series’ for electrically propelled uncrewed vessels.

In 2018, the company rebranded as Dynautics to reflect the broad range of uncrewed vessel technology in their product range, it says.

Dynautics is based in Waterlooville in the south of England.