Marine Advanced Robotics is scheduled to deliver an 8’ Wave Adaptive Modular Vessel (WAM-V®) to the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (ERDC-CHL).

Marine Advanced Robotics, Inc. (MAR) announced the delivery of the 8’ WAM-V to ERDC as the next generation MARV II (Multifunctional Assessment Reconnaissance Vessel) for Pier Reconnaissance under the PIER JCTD. The PIER JCTD is sponsored by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Emerging Capability and Prototyping. The system will be comprised of an 8’ WAM-V autonomous surface vessel (ASV), as well as a full sensor suite. Requirements include terrestrial LIDAR and underwater sonar sensors that will be used for inspections of piers and wharfs to identify structural integrity.

The MARV II represents one piece of a multi-agency initiative to develop and demonstrate a full suite of port repair technologies. By utilizing both off-the-shelf and transformative technologies, this initiative will ensure infrastructure assessment and repair can be accomplished anywhere in the world, both quickly and economically.

MAR CTO Dr. Ugo Conti said, “The inherent stability of the WAM-V makes it the perfect platform for time-sensitive and mission-critical surveys and inspections. This 8’ model positions the WAM-V into a new tier of ease of use and transportability. Our team is proud to leverage our robotics expertise to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in their vitally important mission.”

The 8’ WAM-V will feature dual jet-drive propulsion to enable operation in as little as 6” of water, and a configurable form factor that allows it to reduce its footprint to fit in tight spots, such as between the pilings beneath a pier. The integrated control system enables either autonomous or remote-control operation. The prototype is slated for delivery in the 2nd quarter of 2019 for comprehensive field testing.