Ron Allum Deepsea Services (RADS) is proud to announce the delivery of Deep Ray, a potentially High-Performance Autonomous Undersea Glider, to Defence on Monday, 23 November.  The vehicle was designed, developed and tested under a Defence Innovation HubContract.  The total cost of the project was $2,882,000.

RADS, an Australian SME specialising in the design and manufacture of custom underwater vehicles, worked collaboratively with Defence ScienceTechnology Group’s Maritime Division to develop a detailed system specification, design the optimal shape and undertake a demonstration program to verify the project’s objectives. RADS undertook the manufacture of the vehicle incorporating their existing Intellectual Property in syntactic foam(structure, shape, finish), battery systems (power, endurance) and motors(propulsion) customised to suit the new innovation. Defence developed theFlight Control System to provide the vehicle’s autonomous control which was integrated into the RADS design of both software and hardware elements.

RADS was able to demonstrate Deep Ray’s potential for deepsea use through a range of agreed performance criteria including depth capability, stability, buoyancy, manoeuvrability, durability and endurance.Additionally, the glider included the ability to carry a range of Defence payloads.  This Demonstration phase was ultimately to verify Deep Ray’s potential as an autonomous system for front-line remote area undersea acoustic surveillance and determine feasibility to progress to prototype development.

In addition to Deep Ray’s demonstration results, this innovation program also resulted in the registration of two patents by RADs which included the vehicle’s shape and its balanced piston pump.  RADS also developed initiatives relating toDeep Ray’s vehicle control network, energy systems, variable buoyancy engine, composite and syntactic manufacturing processes and the design of key components such as the emergency ascent system, electronics pressure vessel,VBE level-meter, flow restrictor, solenoid valve and prime pump assembly.

“Although the test and demonstration program was limited due to schedule limitations, Deep Ray has demonstrated its potential as an autonomous system with capability for depth, manoeuvrability and payload that would benefit from further testing and development.  The next phase would allow deep water trials of the Deep Ray Vehicle thus verifying the vehicle’s manoeuvrability, endurance and control beyond simulation and analysis and enable prototype design and development. This phase would complement Defence’s initial investment into theDeep Ray vehicle. It aligns with the 2020 Defence Force Structure Plan, which prioritises investment in emerging technologies including a focus on the adoption of autonomous systems for undersea warfare.” said RADS ManagingDirector, Ron Allum.

RADs has benefitted greatly through this collaborative process with Defence and prides itself on delivering a high quality, sovereign defence innovation with potential to both grow a niche Australian skills base and deliver a cutting-edge defence capability.

Contact :         Ron Allum Deepsea Services – YvetteAllum 0488 211 095 enquiries@ronallum.com