Woolpert and Saildrone have partnered to gather and course of bathymetric survey information for NOAA’s Ocean Exploration and Workplace of Coast Survey. The mission helps protected navigation and ocean mapping initiatives, together with the Nationwide Technique for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the USA Unique Financial Zone and the Seabed 2030 initiative.
The Saildrone Surveyor
The centerpiece of the operation is the 20-meter Saildrone Surveyor uncrewed floor car (USV). The Surveyor measures 20 m (65 ft) in hull size, with a 13 m (44 ft) wing top, a 3 m (11 ft) draft, and a cruise pace of 6 knots. Main propulsion comes from the patented Saildrone Wing, with a 78 hp high-efficiency diesel engine offering auxiliary energy. This dual-source structure delivers as much as 100 days of endurance between service stops and offers 2,000 W steady-state and 4,000 W peak payload energy.
For Saildrone Surveyor bathymetric mapping, the car carries a Kongsberg EM 304 MkII multibeam sonar for deep water and a Kongsberg EM 2040 MkII for shallow-water operations. An Applanix POS MV OceanMaster handles positioning, whereas Teledyne ADCP models monitor ocean currents. Satellite tv for pc communications run through Starlink and Iridium, enabling near-real-time information transmission.
Mariana Islands Mission
This month, the Saildrone Surveyor started amassing high-resolution bathymetric information throughout a 13,000-square-nautical-mile space of the northwestern Pacific Ocean close to the Mariana Islands. NOAA will use the info to reinforce understanding of delicate habitats, marine geohazards, seafloor composition, oceanographic situations, and ecosystem administration inside the US unique financial zone. It’ll additionally develop taxonomic reference libraries for understudied marine organisms.
“The seafloor mapping and exploration information that the Surveyor collects across the Mariana Islands will shut crucial bathymetric gaps in the USA’ unique financial zone,” mentioned Brian Connon, vice chairman of ocean mapping at Saildrone. “The Surveyor’s capability to stay at sea for months at a time, no matter climate situations or sea state, makes it a great platform to hold out this very important work. Saildrone is proud to be working with each Woolpert and NOAA in these essential efforts to higher perceive our ocean, marine sources, and ecosystem.”
Actual-Time Processing Pipeline
Saildrone transmits information to Woolpert in near-real time for processing and last supply. Woolpert Maritime Market Director Dave Neff highlighted the combination between Saildrone’s mission portal and Woolpert’s automated survey manufacturing setting. “By integrating Saildrone’s mission portal with Woolpert’s automated survey manufacturing setting, we achieve real-time visibility into acquisition progress and information high quality—particularly in deep-water areas that have been as soon as tough and dear to entry,” Neff mentioned. “This collaboration exhibits how uncrewed programs and good partnerships can develop what’s potential in ocean mapping.”
The contract is at present underway and expects to conclude in Might 2026.
Extra info is accessible from the unique press launch.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist specializing in drone know-how and life-style content material at Dronelife. He’s based mostly between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys mountaineering and Boston space sports activities.
