Swedish Defence major SAAB offers India its Sea Wasp ROV for Deep Sea ordnance disposal

NewsBharati 05-Jul-2023 17:42:52 PM

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With its large coastline, several islands, and numerous ports, India necessitates innovative technology solutions for both above and below-ground operations. Saab, a prominent defence and security business, has created the Sea Wasp, an advanced Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) built for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) duties in underwater environments, to meet this need.

The Sea Wasp ROV is outfitted with video cameras, LED lights, and a wideband sonar to detect underwater explosive devices. Once a target has been identified, the ROV's five-function manipulator arm positions an EOD disruptor or other tools near the target, preparing it for safe explosion. This new robotic system provides a dependable and effective method of dealing with underwater dangers, eliminating the need for risky manual procedures.

The Sea Wasp was created in response to a request from the US government to tackle the asymmetric threat posed by covertly supplied underwater explosive devices. The Combat Terrorism Technical Support Office (CT-TSO) of Saab was entrusted with designing a watercraft ROV that would especially handle this threat. The project began in 2014, and by the end of 2015, Saab had successfully delivered three Sea Wasp prototype systems to CTTSO.

U.S. military and law enforcement training in operation of Sea Wasp - YouTube

The major goal of the Sea Wasp project was to develop a ROV capable of performing underwater EOD activities comparable to what a land-based EOD robot can do. The goal was to reduce the risks associated with deploying divers close to explosive devices.

The capacity to operate the ROV with only a two-person team from multiple platforms, including small boats and ground vehicles, was one of the project criteria. Furthermore, the system had to be user-friendly for unskilled operators as well as effective in demanding underwater conditions common in ports and harbours, such as limited visibility and high currents.

The use of the Sea Wasp has various advantages over traditional means of dealing with undersea threats. Manual disposal by highly skilled EOD divers is not only expensive, but also dangerous. Operators can keep a safe distance from the hazard by operating the Sea Wasp remotely with a two-person team, considerably decreasing possible threats.

One of the most notable advantages of the Sea Wasp is its operational safety. This remotely operated system reduces the risk to human life during EOD operations by utilising advanced robotics and technology. The ability of the Sea Wasp to operate in difficult underwater conditions, combined with its ease of use and efficiency, makes it a significant asset in defending important infrastructure and preserving marine security.