Phoenix AUV Upgraded to 4,500 Metres in Depth
Phoenix International Holdings, USA, has taken delivery of its Bluefin-21 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) after designer and manufacturer Bluefin Robotics completed a depth upgrade from a 1,500-metre to a 4,500-metre capability.
The Phoenix AUV is equipped with field-swappable acoustic and optical payloads. The acoustic payload section can concurrently operate a Reson 7125 multibeam (400kHz), Edgetech 2200-M side scan sonar (120/410kHz), and Edgetech DW2-16 subbottom profiler (2-16kHz) on 20 hour dives at speeds up to 3.5 knots. The optical payload section can collect high-resolution black and white imagery at up to 3 frames per second using a Prosilica GE1900 camera system with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. This portable deepwater vehicle ships as air freight to deploy on vessels of opportunity. The average loadout specifications which include the AUV, mission support equipment, and lithium ion batteries consist of 20 pieces totalling 10,000lbs and occupy 1,000 cubic feet.
