A view taken from onboard the US Navy (USN) Cyclone Class Coastal Protection Ship, USS HURRICANE (PC 3), exhibiting a trailing refueling line being prolonged from the USN Oliver Hazard Perry Class: Guided Missile Frigate, USS JOHN H. SIDES. | Credit score: US Navy
Because the Navy expands its fleet of uncrewed floor automobiles (USV), Stratom has been chosen for a Part I Small Enterprise Innovation Analysis contract to develop an autonomous refueling system that would redefine naval refueling and logistics at sea.
Because the main developer of autonomous automobiles and refueling robotic techniques for logistics and operational functions, the contract will leverage Stratom’s Deployable Onboard Refueling Interface, or DORI, an automatic system designed to let USVs refuel with out human intervention.
Stratom was honored with an RBR50 in 2023 for RAPIDa conveyable autonomous refueling system designed to function in excessive environments, reminiscent of a battlefield, to refuel plane or vehicles. Mark Gordon, CEO of Stratom, appeared on episode 154 of The Robotic Report Podcast, the place he gives an replace on Stratom’s roadmap.
“Autonomous refueling is actually a drive multiplier — and the subsequent step towards a totally autonomous maritime drive,” mentioned Gordon, “with DORI, we’re engineering a sensible, scalable manner for uncrewed vessels to remain on mission longer, with out counting on susceptible crewed interventions.”
Constructing upon present naval refueling infrastructure whereas introducing focused automation, Stratom’s DORI system integrates a hose retrieval system, notion sensors, an automatic reel mechanism, and a quick-release coupling for emergency disconnects. By enabling USVs to securely and reliably refuel whereas underway with out human intervention, the system will prolong operational endurance, scale back personnel threat, and improve mission flexibility in contested or distributed environments.
The Part I effort will validate the technical feasibility of the system’s automated reel mechanism and embrace idea refinement, small-scale prototyping, commerce research, and integration of economic bunkering greatest practices. These actions will make sure the proposed methodology is technically possible and aligned with operational necessities.
Wanting forward, Shedding additionally sees sturdy potential for business deployment of DORI in ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering, a key refueling course of in business transport and world maritime logistics. Automating STS bunkering may scale back high-traffic port congestion, enhance security, and lower working prices for long-haul transport fleets.
Stratom brings deep expertise to the event effort, efficiently transitioning robotic refueling techniques developed for the Military and Navy into business functions. RAPID, the corporate’s autonomous refueling, recharging, and liquid switch platform for robotic floor and plane refueling, proves the worth of automating advanced fueling operations by elevated uptime, decreased labor calls for, and enhanced security.
US Navy Overlord USV Ranger umnanned vessel. | Credit score: US Navy
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