Japan buys another Hydroid AUV

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KONGSBERG, Norway, June 15 (UPI) -- Japan is adding to its mine countermeasure capabilities with the purchase of another anti-mine autonomous underwater vehicle.

The order for the Remus 600 AUV was given to Norway's Hydroid, Inc., manufacturer of the system and a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime.

The Modular Remus is about 10.6 feet long, carries a variety of sensors and has a maximum depth of operation of more than 1,900 feet. Depending on the payload weight and operational speed, the system can operate for as long as 70 hours.

In addition to counter-mine operations, the AUV can be used for hydrographic surveys, harbor security operations, debris field mapping, scientific sampling and mapping and other programs.

"We are excited by the Japanese Ministry of Defense's growing use of Hydroid AUVs for detecting underwater mines," said Christopher von Alt, president and co-founder of Hydroid.

"The Remus 600 is ideally suited for this application, as, when fully configured, its exceptional endurance allows it to operate underwater for long periods of time in varying depths of water."

The Remus 600 purchased is the fifth AUV for Japan. Earlier, it bought four Remus 100 systems for investigating and mapping seafloor dispersion of contaminants and mine countermeasure operations.