“Follow the money" is a phrase popularly but incorrectly attributed to Deep Throat/Watergate. Broadening the coverage of the phrase to include the hot unmanned and autonomous surface and underwater vehicle segments allows
“Follow the money" is a phrase popularly but incorrectly attributed to Deep Throat/Watergate. Broadening the coverage of the phrase to include the hot unmanned and autonomous surface and underwater vehicle segments allows us to understand what’s really going on in the market and the sums of money involved are significant.
The anatomy of unmanned systems
Firstly, let’s start by understanding the anatomy of an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Autonomy has several levels, effectively split into manual teleoperation, remote supervised control (generally over the horizon/out of sight), and full autonomy. USVs and AUVs generally feature nine key elements. USV and AUV companies operate with varying degrees of vertical integration, although in the following sections, we will touch on some regional trends.
Anatomy of an unmanned vehicle
|
Element |
Details |
|
Hull |
USVs use monohull, catamaran, trimaran, or SWATH designs (aluminum, carbon fiber, composites); AUVs use cylindrical/torpedo pressure hulls (aluminum, titanium, composites) with hydrodynamic shells, ballast/trim systems, and flooded sections. |
|
Propulsion |
Combustion engines, electric motors, sails, solar, or buoyancy engines (gliders) with battery storage for energy conversion. Propellers, water jets, or thrusters for propulsion. Rudders, fins and thrusters (plus elevators for AUVs) for vectoring. |
|
Navigation & guidance |
USVs use |
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