The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) announced on its social media channel on 23 February that it had recently received two new uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) for trials, which are aimed at enhancing the service’s oceanographic observation capabilities.
The service did not disclose details on the two UUVs, but it posted images of the French Alseamar SeaExplorer and Teledyne Marine Slocum G3 buoyancy gliders.
The JMSDF earlier announced that it had signed contracts for “Type I and Type II” underwater gliders that will be used to perform oceanographic surveys, gathering information on water temperature, salinity, and currents.
The service presently uses the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries OZZ-5 UUV, which is based on a prototype developed by the Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency (ATLA). The OZZ-5 is equipped with a dual-imaging sonar suite that enables it to discern buried objects at low frequencies while providing the ability to perform high-resolution scans of exposed objects on the seabed.
The JMSDF also operates the Hydroid (now HII) REMUS 600 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) for use in mine countermeasures (MCM) operations with the local designation of OZZ-2.
Meanwhile, the service has also contracted with local electronics company NEC to develop the Long Distance Underwater Acoustic Communication Module for UUV control and positional awareness, as well as for underwater communication from ships. It added that performance tests of this system will be conducted from this year.
NEC earlier revealed in January 2024 that it had demonstrated stable two-way, long-distance communication using an experimental UUV – equipped with an early example of the acoustic communication module – to remotely control another UUV as it navigates at 2-3 knots at a distance of 2.5 kilometres, and to receive data collected by the UUV.
The company added that its communication module combines its sonar-related technology, including ultrasonic transducer technology and underwater equipment manufacturing technology, with NTT’s space-time equalisation technology.
by Jr Ng
