Royal Navy tests new robot survey boat

The Royal Navy has extended its remote survey capabilities with the adoption of a new robot survey boat. The Otter Pro is able to transported in a small road vehicle and can be deployed within a hour of arrival.

The unmanned vehicle was put through its paces at the Defence Diving School on Horsea Island, Portsmouth and the navy’s Project Hecla Team.

Commander Graham Mimpriss, Royal Navy lead for the trials, said: “Although the Otter Pro is being operated to enable Project Hecla to refine future operating concepts of uncrewed surface vehicles in future military surveying application, it has begun to prove itself as being superior to existing portable systems.

“Using a rapid response context, this vehicle was mobilised within an hour of arrival having been transported to the site in a van. 

“The team on its first outing surveyed Horsea Lake (7,000 square metres) in 40 minutes and then generated a viable product within an hour.”