Generally, the present disclosure relates to a forward deployed sensor system or, in a specific embodiment, a forward deployed radar (FDR) system. The forward deployed sensor system includes a radar system and may also include other types of sensors such as optical sensors, acoustic sensors including sonar, and electromagnetic sensors. Further, the forward deployed sensor system may also include a communication system such as a full spectrum receiver/transmitter, a ship to ship relay transponder, a satellite communication system, and global positioning system (GPS) capability. The forward deployed sensor system is able to detect objects in the air, on the sea, and underwater, and communicate such detection to a ship, submarine, aircraft, satellite, or other remote location. Such systems may be used to augment the protection of shipping lanes by military or security forces to allow for peaceful commerce and utility of the sea by all nations.

Generally, the present disclosure relates to a forward deployed sensor system or, in a specific embodiment, a forward deployed radar (FDR) system. The forward deployed sensor system includes a radar system and may also include other types of sensors such as optical sensors, acoustic sensors including sonar, and electromagnetic sensors. Further, the forward deployed sensor system may also include a communication system such as a full spectrum receiver/transmitter, a ship to ship relay transponder, a satellite communication system, and global positioning system (GPS) capability. The forward deployed sensor system is able to detect objects in the air, on the sea, and underwater, and communicate such detection to a ship, submarine, aircraft, satellite, or other remote location. Such systems may be used to augment the protection of shipping lanes by military or security forces to allow for peaceful commerce and utility of the sea by all nations.

An underwater watercraft including a passenger compartment and an ingress/egress port in which the watercraft has buoyancy and center of gravity adjusted to maintain a generally level or other desired attitude when submerged, and an optionally angled attitude at a water surface for ingress/egress. The attitude is also adjustable via the placement of ballast and optionally including a movable ballast that adjusts the location of the center of gravity as desired. The ingress-egress port optionally includes an entry elevated from a main passenger compartment and including a riser and optionally removable or concealable handrails. The ingress-egress port has an angled orientation in a submerged mode, and an optional orientation generally parallel to the water surface or angled but above the surface in a surface mode.

An underwater watercraft including a passenger compartment and an ingress/egress port in which the watercraft has buoyancy and center of gravity adjusted to maintain a generally level or other desired attitude when submerged, and an optionally angled attitude at a water surface for ingress/egress. The attitude is also adjustable via the placement of ballast and optionally including a movable ballast that adjusts the location of the center of gravity as desired. The ingress-egress port optionally includes an entry elevated from a main passenger compartment and including a riser and optionally removable or concealable handrails. The ingress-egress port has an angled orientation in a submerged mode, and an optional orientation generally parallel to the water surface or angled but above the surface in a surface mode.

A subsea vehicle capable of supporting inspection of underwater objects while underway includes a body that provides a capability to allow the subsea vehicle to submerge underwater and follow or position near an object while maintaining an orientation to the object appropriate for inspection of, and safety requirements for, the object. The vehicle includes a set of deployable, semi-rigid arms to support the movement of inspection sensor probes near or lightly touching the inspection target with the probes. A controller helps tracks the intended inspection object using various sensor inputs along with a priori knowledge of the object to drive and position the subsea vehicle such that the appropriate orientation to the inspection target is maintained.

A subsea vehicle capable of supporting inspection of underwater objects while underway includes a body that provides a capability to allow the subsea vehicle to submerge underwater and follow or position near an object while maintaining an orientation to the object appropriate for inspection of, and safety requirements for, the object. The vehicle includes a set of deployable, semi-rigid arms to support the movement of inspection sensor probes near or lightly touching the inspection target with the probes. A controller helps tracks the intended inspection object using various sensor inputs along with a priori knowledge of the object to drive and position the subsea vehicle such that the appropriate orientation to the inspection target is maintained.

The invention discloses an integrated detection method of electromagnetic searching, locating and tracking for subsea cables. After being launched into water, the cable-tracking AUV carries out primary Z-shaped reciprocating sailing to search the electromagnetic signal of the target subsea cable, when the electromagnetic signal reaches a preset threshold value, the AUV executes the cable-tracking detection. In the tracking process, if the target electromagnetic signal intensity is lower than the preset threshold, it is determined that subsea cable tracking is lost. At this time, the secondary Z-shaped cable-researching route planning and tracking are performed based on the lost point. In the process that the AUV autonomously tracks and detects the subsea cable, relative locating between AUV and subsea cable is performed based on the electromagnetic signal radiated by the subsea cable, and autonomous tracking control under the guidance of the electromagnetic locating signal is performed.

The invention discloses an integrated detection method of electromagnetic searching, locating and tracking for subsea cables. After being launched into water, the cable-tracking AUV carries out primary Z-shaped reciprocating sailing to search the electromagnetic signal of the target subsea cable, when the electromagnetic signal reaches a preset threshold value, the AUV executes the cable-tracking detection. In the tracking process, if the target electromagnetic signal intensity is lower than the preset threshold, it is determined that subsea cable tracking is lost. At this time, the secondary Z-shaped cable-researching route planning and tracking are performed based on the lost point. In the process that the AUV autonomously tracks and detects the subsea cable, relative locating between AUV and subsea cable is performed based on the electromagnetic signal radiated by the subsea cable, and autonomous tracking control under the guidance of the electromagnetic locating signal is performed.

Monitoring method and system to monitor the underwater traffic of an area of interest where at least one underwater element is going to operate. The system comprises: a memory, which is configured to store data comprising a representation of the area of interest, and a list of a plurality of types of underwater elements with the relative digital model; a detection unit to detect the position and the orientation of each underwater element present inside said area of interest; a processing unit, which is configured to determine, based on the stored data and on the detection of said detection unit, the type of each underwater element present inside the area of interest, and to generate, based on said data, a representation of the area of interest showing the static obstacles, and the digital model, the position and the orientation of each underwater element present inside said area of interest; and a user interface to display said representation of the area of interest.

An unmanned undersea vehicle includes one or more vehicle sections. The sections include a vehicle hull. The vehicle includes a data crypt configured to be selectively removable from the vehicle through the hull of the vehicle. The data crypt includes a persistent storage device configured to operate using SATA protocols and one or more electrical connectors configured to selectively connect the data crypt to electrical equipment in the vehicle, wherein the connectors are impedance matched to mating connectors in the vehicle.