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Hydroid News

31 Oct 2022

Armach Robotics Set to Take the Pole Position on Ship Hull Maintenance, Intelligence

Image courtesy Armach Robotics

Melding advanced software, intelligence, robotics and navigation, Armach Robotics – a spinoff of Greensea Systems – leads a step change in ship hull cleaning and maintenance with its Robotics as a Service model. Ben Kinnaman, the CEO of Greensea Systems, explains.Ben, to start us off, please give us a background on Armach Robotics? Where did the idea come from and where are we today?Greensea Systems is a software company, well-known for our software platform on ocean robotics. We're also well-known for our unique navigation and autonomy solutions.

15 Feb 2021

Subsea Defense: Navy Deepens Commitment to Underwater Vehicles

Senior Chief Mineman Abraham Garcia (left) and Aerographer's Mate 1st Class Joshua Gaskill, members of the Knifefish Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) test team, man tending lines during crane operations as part of an operational test conducted by members from Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR). Knifefish is a medium-class mine countermeasure UUV designed for deployment off the Littoral Combat Ship. OPTEVFOR is the Navy’s sole test and evaluation organization for surface, air, and un

The U.S. Navy uses unmanned and robotic underwater vehicles for a multitude of functions, including environmental sensing, mine hunting, and salvage. The Navy plans to evolve an unmanned systems operating concept that is platform agnostic and capable of operating in highly complex contested environments with minimal operator interaction.The most recent edition of the Navy’s Unmanned Systems (UxS) Roadmap was issued in 2018, and a new version is expected in the near future. The 2018 document states that UxS will operate in every domain…

04 Jan 2021

HII Acquires Autonomy Business from Spatial Integrated Systems

Spatial Integrated Systems' unmanned systems solutions, including multi-vehicle collaborative autonomy, sensor fusion and perception, have been fielded for more than 6,000 hours on 23 vessel types. Image courtesy HII

In a move that further expands its unmanned systems capabilities, Huntington Ingalls Industries acquired the autonomy business of Spatial Integrated Systems Inc. (SIS) which has proven unmanned surface vessel (USV) solutions.SIS’s unmanned systems solutions — including multi-vehicle collaborative autonomy, sensor fusion and perception — have been fielded for more than 6,000 hours on 23 vessel types. They have supported multiple development projects and demonstrations advancing autonomy in unmanned systems in the maritime…

04 Feb 2020

Kongsberg Sells Subsidiary Hydroid to HII

Kongsberg Maritime AS has signed an agreement to sell its underwater technology subsidiary company Hydroid, Inc. for $350 million to shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). In conjunction with the transaction, HII and Kongsberg Maritime are also establishing a strategic alliance to jointly market naval and maritime products and services to the U.S. government market and potentially to global markets.Kongsberg Maritime acquired Hydroid for USD 80 million in 2007 and is now selling this US subsidiary for USD 350 million on a debt-free and cash-free basis and as adjusted off an agreed upon working capital."Kongsberg Maritime has driven technology development and created considerable value during the 12 years it has owned Hydroid, and we are capitalizing on this now.

08 Oct 2019

NATO employs MUSCLE Memory to Find Mines

MUSCLE Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Deployment. Photo courtesy of CMRE

Underwater vehicles communicate, make decisions, and work as a teamThe NATO Center for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) in La Spezia, Italy, is combining smarts and muscle to solve a complex warfighting challenge: finding and destroying mines in the murky waters of the littoral.CMRE has developed experimental unmanned vehicles for experimentation. Now it is evolving those vehicles to communicate and cooperate with each other, and to solve problems on their own.According to CMRE’s director Dr.

15 Oct 2018

The Quest to Find and Explore USS Indianapolis

An image shot from a ROV shows a spare parts box from USS Indianapolis on the floor of the Pacific Ocean in more than 16,000 feet of water. (Photo courtesy of Paul G. Allen)

Sunk by Japanese torpedoes near the end of World War II, heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis disappeared to the darkest depths of the Philippine Sea, where it remained undiscovered for more than 70 years. Recently a team of civilian researchers led by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen set out equipped with an arsenal of high-tech search equipment on a mission to locate the historic vessel last seen on July 30, 1945. The story of the USS Indianapolis is one of military might, heroism, tragedy, controversy and mystery.

16 Oct 2014

Hydroid Wins Gold at MassEcon Impact Awards

Hydroid, Inc., a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime and a leading manufacturer of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), today announced that it has been named the Southeast division gold winner in the 11th Annual Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards. Designed to recognize excellence in job growth, facility expansion, and investment since January 1, 2014, the award celebrates companies that have made outstanding contributions to the Massachusetts economy. “We are so proud to be recognized with this MassEcon Impact Award,” said Duane Fotheringham, president of Hydroid. “Our continued growth is a testament to the remarkable group of people that make up Hydroid, whose hard work and dedication has propelled our company to the top.

18 Sep 2014

Kongsberg AUV Pioneer Recognized by MTS Award

Kongsberg inform that Bjørn Jalving, Executive Vice President Subsea at maritime, offshore and subsea technology developer Kongsberg Maritime recently has been given the Compass Distinguished Achievement Award from the Marine Technology Society. The award ceremony was at the OCEANS 2014 MTS/IEEE conference in St. John 's, Newfoundland, Canada. This prestigious award is presented to an individual whose work has had significant impact on the fields of marine science and technology. Bjørn Jalving was selected for the award because of his long career and significant achievements within AUV technology. After graduating as M.Sc. in Engineering Cybernetics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in 1991…

22 Apr 2014

Marine Robots Survey D-Day Rehearsal Wreckage

Mission commemorates 70th anniversary of World War II Tragedy. A mission off the coast of South Devon, England has surveyed two U.S. Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) that were torpedoed and sunk during the D-Day rehearsal Exercise Tiger on April 28, 1944. Using state-of-the-art autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) technology to collect data from the wreckage site, the mission has produced the first high-definition sonar images of this World War II tragedy. This was the first time in history that an AUV had surveyed the area. The mission, which was executed by Hydroid, Inc., a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime and the leading manufacturer of AUVs, with additional data provided by the Royal Navy's Maritime Autonomous System Trials Team (MASTT), commemorates the 70th anniversary of Exercise Tiger.

08 Jan 2014

Key Leadership Changes at Hydroid

Christopher von Alt (left) and Duane Fotheringham

Hydroid, Inc., a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime, today announced changes in its leadership team. Christopher von Alt, one of the company’s founders and primary forces in its extraordinary growth since its inception in 2001, has elected to resign from his current position as president, effective January 1, 2014. Hydroid’s board of directors has selected Duane Fotheringham, Hydroid’s vice president of operations, as his successor. Von Alt will retain his current position as chairman of the board and in addition…

11 Nov 2013

Hydroid Awarded US$26-million Navy Contract

Included in the latest listing of US Department of Defense, Navy, contracts is the news that Hydroid Inc, has been awarded a significant UUV order for services with long-term options. Hydroid Inc., Pocasset, Mass., is being awarded a $26,231,287 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for engineering services, repair and training support for the Navy's MK18 unmanned underwater vehicle family of systems.  The contract includes a one-year base period with four one-year options.  Work will be performed in Pocasset, Mass., and is expected to be completed by September 2018. Department of Defense names the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, Indian Head, Md., as the contracting activity

16 Sep 2013

DofD Navy Contracts for UUV's & a NJ Dredging Project

Hydroid Inc has been contracted to deliver the Navy with unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV's) and Great Lakes Dredge Dock by the USACE for placement of dredged materials at  the Keansburg, NJ, project. Hydroid Inc, Pocasset, Mass., is being awarded a $36,323,734 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of unmanned underwater vehicles. The unmanned underwater vehicles provide the military force with very shallow water and shallow water mine countermeasures as well as underwater object localization tools. Work will be performed in Pocasset, Mass., and is expected to be completed by September 2018.

30 May 2013

Crash Course on Unmanned Robotics at US NWC

REMUS AUV: Image credit Hydroid

U.S. Naval War College (NWC) students participate in a presentation & discussion of unmanned robotic systems with ReconRobotics, Inc. & Hydroid, Inc. This event was part of the "Unmanned Systems and Conflict in the 21st Century" course at NWC, serving as an opportunity for future decision makers to gain exposure and expand their knowledge of unmanned technologies. "It's important to be aware of advancements we're making now because they will change the strategic and operational environment of which our warfighters will be engaged in…

07 Mar 2013

Kongsberg Updates for Ocean Business 2013

Photo: Kongsberg

Alongside the unveiling of a new AUV, Kongsberg Maritime will introduce a new variant of its state-of-the-art EM 2040 multibeam echo sounder during Ocean Business 2013 in April (stand N1). Ocean Business is the ideal launch platform for both new products, which are designed to offer significant new application possibilities for the subsea and survey industry. Other highlights from the leading subsea technology developer during Ocean Business include the return of the popular Kongsberg Maritime demo boat…

30 Jan 2013

New Staff Member at Hydroid

Kathy Forrester: Photo credit Hydroid

Kathy Forrester joins Hydroid, Inc., manufacturer of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), as Marketing Coordinator. Forrester will support Hydroid’s marketing efforts by assisting in the planning, development and execution of the company’s marketing plan, with the goals of increasing sales and promoting the Hydroid brand and corporate culture. She has more than twenty years of marketing experience at firms including Sotheby’s International, Strategic Marketing & Design, AMA Nantucket, Talbots and Walt Disney World.

19 Nov 2012

Hydroid Breaks Ground on New Facility

Hydroid has broken ground and begun construction on its new manufacturing and applied research facility in Pocasset, MA. “Outgrowing our old space gave us the opportunity to design a facility that will protect the environment and keep Cape Cod the wonderful place it is today, all while creating great jobs,” said Chris von Alt, Hydroid's president and CEO. The new headquarters, located just a short distance away from Hydroid’s current home, has 40,000 square feet of floor space.

05 Oct 2012

Hydroid to Supply German Navy With AUV's

REMUS 100 AUV: Photo credit Hydroid

The German Navy contract Hydroid, Inc. – a Kongsberg Company – to supply 6 REMUS 100 Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV). After extensive trials by the German Bundeswehr Technical Center for Ships and Naval Weapons (WTD 71) in Eckernfoerde, the Federal Office of Defence Technology & Procurement (BWB) in Koblenz has placed the contract  to enhance the capabilities of the German Navy's mine divers. Delivery of the REMUS 100 systems and operational training of military personnel will occur during the next 12 months.

10 May 2011

Hydroid REMUS AUV Helps Find WWI U-boat

Pocasset, MA – May 9, 2011 – Hydroid, Inc., a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime, the leading manufacturer of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, announced today that its REMUS 100 AUV aided in the discovery of the World War I German submarine U-106, which had been missing since October 1917. The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN), which used the REMUS vehicle, located the missing submarine off the coast of Terschelling in the Netherlands. “The REMUS 100’s compact size and proven reliability for deployment in shallow waters made it an ideal tool for this mission…

23 Jan 2012

Swedish Navy Receives AUV's

During November and December 2011 the Swedish Navy received the last two of four state of-the-art AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) from the Danish company EIVA a/s. The AUVs are equipped with advanced sensors in the form of sonars and underwater cameras and they are designed to operate autonomously underwater following a mission route planned ahead. There is a multitude of purposes for which the AUVs can be used. For instance mine detection, visual inspection of the seabed, location of mission objects etc.

25 Apr 2012

Autonomous Underwater Vessel Launched by Hydroid

SUV 'Remus 600-S': Photo courtesy of Hydroid

Hydroid, Inc., a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime and manufacturer of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), announces its newest AUV, the REMUS 600 Survey (REMUS 600-S) at the XVIII International Hydrographic Conference (IHC) in Monaco. The REMUS 600-S is a high performance version of the successful REMUS 600 AUV and features advanced technology that has only previously been available in Kongsberg's accomplished HUGIN vehicles, making it ideal for such applications as International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) quality surveys.

16 Sep 2008

Axia Announces Sale of Hydroid

Axia Capital Partners, LP, announced that it has completed the sale of the assets and business of Hydroid to , a division of Kongsberg Gruppen, for approximately $80m and an earn-out based on Hydroid's 2008 and 2009 operating performance. Hydroid is a manufacturer and supplier of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) for military and commercial markets worldwide. The company was established in 2001 to manufacture, support and further develop the REMUS Autonomous Vehicle Technology, originally developed and licensed through an exclusive license with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Axia invested in Hydroid in December 2005 when Hydroid's revenues approximated $7.5 million. Hydroid's 2007 sales approximated $20 million and is projecting strong revenue growth in the coming years.

04 Dec 2008

High-Tech Survey of Rare Deep Coral Reefs

The Waitt Institute for Discovery and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have joined forces to launch the Catalyst Program, making available for the first time a versatile and highly portable deep-sea tool kit and operations team, which can be rapidly deployed anywhere in the world. This unprecedented collaboration features the Waitt Institute's two newly built Hydroid REMUS 6000 Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), which can explore depths of up to 6000 meters, or 3.7 miles, below the ocean's surface. These innovative multi-sensor platforms are equipped with high-tech survey instruments capable of recording critical oceanographic data, photo-imaging deep-sea features, and producing detailed sonar maps of the ocean floor.