Tethered Unmanned Work Vehicle System (TUWVS)
(SUPER SCORPIO ROV)
The Unmanned Vehicles Detachment (UMV) was initially organized in the mid 1970s from personnel in the various departments of Submarine Development Squadron 5 and Deep Submergence Unit. UMV was first assigned a Side Looking Sonar (SILOS) system and a precision navigation system. These systems allowed UMV to begin search and survey operations, mostly in shallow water and near land.
As deep ocean ROV technology continued to develop, UMV continued as well. In August of 1987, the unit's recovery capability was further extended with the delivery of the Super Scorpio Tethered Unmanned Work Vehicle System. The Scorpio system, of which UMV has two vehicles, was an extremely advanced vehicle, capable of lifting far more payload than the RCV. UMV's final system was delivered in 1992, the Advanced Tethered Vehicle (ATV). ATV is similar in design to Scorpio, but has a greater depth capacity and a fiber optic tether for more efficient data transfer between the ROV and its surface operators.
In recent years, the ROVs of Unmanned Vehicles Detachment have been responsible for the recovery of over 100 million dollars worth of military and civilian hardware. Also, the unit has been instrumental in the successful completion of various research endeavors by the United States' scientific community. UMV remains a flexible and potent asset, continuing to evolve as equipment becomes available.
- MAXIMUM DEPTH: 5,000 FT
- WEIGHT: 4,500 LBS
- DIMENSIONS: 4X4X8FT
- SPEED: 4 KNOTS FORWARD/AFT AND 2 KNOTS LATERALLY
- FLY AWAY CAPABLE
- 107-122KHZ CTFM SONAR, 2000 FT RANGE, (EDO 250)
- TWO BLACK AND WHITE VIDEO CAMERAS (OSPREY SL-90)
- TW0 HMI LIGHTS, FOUR 250 WATT INCANDESCENT LIGHTS
- 1 INCH STEEL CABLE CUTTER
- TWO MANIPULATORS CAPABLE OF LIFTING 250 LBS EACH
Sources and Methods
http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/tuwvs.htm
Created by John Pike
Maintained by Steven Aftergood
Updated Thursday, November 25, 1999 1:01:31 PM
