DALO signs framework agreement with OceanScan-MST to deliver LAUVs

The Light Autonomous Underwater Vehicle developed by Portugal's OceanScan-Marine Systems & Technology. (OceanScan Marine Systems & Technology)

The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) has signed a framework agreement with Portugal's OceanScan-Marine Systems & Technology for an initial purchase of up to six Light Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (LAUVs) to support the Danish Mine Counter Measure (MCM) Division.

A contract award notice was released by DALO on 28 September. Delivery is expected to start in the first quarter of 2022.

LAUV is a modular and man-portable underwater vehicle that can be adapted for a range of commercial and military applications that includes mine‐countermeasures, rapid environment assessment, anti‐submarine warfare, search‐and‐rescue operations, port surveillance and security, and oceanographic and hydrographic survey operations.

The LAUV has a diameter of 150 mm, is 1.15 to 2.3 m long and weighs 15 to 35 kg depending on the configuration. The LAUV can operate in stand‐alone or networked operations to a depth of 100 m.

Each vehicle features three sections: the nose (wet) section includes sensors; the main (dry) section houses batteries; and the tail (dry) section has a servo motor. It is powered by lithium-ion batteries and can operate for up to 8 hours.