Ready to be amazed? Germany's TKMS is launching a revolutionary new technology that will take underwater exploration to the next level.
SYNOPSIS
Introduction
The largest submarine robot in the world is being developed by a German venture group led by ThyssenKrupp Marine Frameworks. Soon a model will descend and demonstrate the flexibility and display of the hidden submerged vehicle. The submarine robot will have a total length of nearly 20 meters, consisting of six different segments that are linked together to give it the ability to move in any direction and with an array of thrusters to propel it. This revolutionary technology promises to revolutionize the underwater exploration industry, allowing for far greater maneuverability and flexibility when exploring the depths of the ocean.
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"ThyssenKrupp Campus" by F. Montino is licensed under CC BY 2.0. |
With a grant from the Government Service of Financial Matters, the second phase of the "Modifiable Submerged Mothership" (MUM) project was launched in Kiel about 18 months ago. This automated submerged vehicle was built in a remote location and is designed to handle a variety of tasks in the common area for the exploration and use of oceans around the globe. Currently, the next two phases—during which a model about 25 meters long must be put together and tested—cannot be avoided.
According to "Maritime News," the MUM will reportedly be larger than any other submarine robot in existence. The MUM project is an ambitious endeavor, and its successful completion would mark a significant milestone in the field of underwater exploration and the use of robots for oceanic missions. The current MUM prototype is 14 meters long and is equipped with eight thrusters, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 10 knots and a depth rating of 1000 meters.
ThyssenKrupp Marine Frameworks is the project's lead partner; additional participants include Map Book Elektronik, EvoLogics, the University of Rostock, the Specialized College of Berlin, Fraunhofer, and the DLR Establishment. The task's goal is for the MUM to establish a new standard for automated submerged work by the middle of 2025. The MUM project is driven by the development of a cutting-edge artificial intelligence system, allowing the robot to make autonomous decisions and react to external stimuli, thus allowing it to complete its tasks with greater efficiency than existing technologies.
This is an impressive feat and if successful, the MUM prototype will be able to revolutionize underwater exploration, allowing us to expand our knowledge in ways we could never have imagined. The MUM project promises to open the door to a new era of robotic exploration and could bring us closer than ever before to unlock the mysteries of the deep sea.
The submarine has a calculated plan to accomplish this. This suggests that different modules can be attached to one another inside the fuselage so that the MUM meets the necessary requirements for a variety of missions. The modules, according to "Maritime News," are made up of 10 or 20-foot ocean compartments.
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"Essen - ThyssenKrupp Quartier Q1 01" by Daniel Mennerich is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. |
These compartments have been designed to facilitate the transport of scientific instruments and divers to and from the underwater environment, allowing them to explore the depths of the ocean. In addition, these modules can also be used to store various supplies for extended periods in the submarine, providing a larger range of operational autonomy and reducing the number of trips made back to shore for restocking.
Other Extra-Enormous Uncrewed Submerged Vehicles (XLUUVs) designed for compartments exist, so this is not a novel concept. Nevertheless, these are anticipated to obligate the compartments, according to creator Hey Sutton. Conversely, the MUM maneuvers itself around the compartments.
The "flatfish plan" of the German underwater drone is yet another distinctive feature. In other words, the submarine is significantly longer than it is tall. Expanded dependability while surfacing is one benefit of this, claims Sutton. The MUM's purpose is not to serve as a periscope-depth tactical submarine.
Either it is deeply submerged or it has surfaced. The MUM can be raised with both a level and a tight side, as demonstrated in a video from ThyssenKrupp Marine Frameworks. This is beneficial for operators because it allows them to keep a constant vigil over an area while remaining undetected while avoiding the need to constantly switch between being deeply submerged and surfacing. With this capability, the MUM serves as a stealthy means of gathering intelligence without being detected.
The framework will perform application-related tasks beginning in mid-2024. Utilization areas are organized to include offshore wind farms and remote ocean mining and exploration. The MUM can, for instance, take on transport missions, investigate gas and oil fields, take examples from the seabed with a drill, or send tests. This means that the MUM can be both effective and discreet, providing invaluable intelligence and gathering information from far-off locations with relative ease. Additionally, the MUM can carry out a variety of tasks autonomously or as part of a larger mission, allowing for unparalleled access to resources and data.
Military use is conceivable.
In addition to taking the threat from Russia into account, the future MUM plan for the day is likely to include monitoring and investigating submerged links. The Naval Force is also keenly observing advancements even though it is a project involving non-military personnel, according to Howdy Sutton. With the autonomous capabilities of the MUM, military personnel can utilize possible advances and strategies in ways that were previously impossible.
As the MUM project advances, it is becoming more and more apparent that military use is a potential application. It is for this reason that military personnel is carefully observing the project's progress and developments, as these advancements may be used to further the capabilities of the Naval Force in future operations.
The submarine may be used throughout the entire year because it is submerged regardless of the weather patterns. The MUM's two counter-rotating propellers are propelled by a power module engine, which, according to the project description, means that it can operate without restriction for an extended period and can also be used in submerged environments with delicate ecosystems. The motor, which has an estimated output of 80 kilowatts, is supported by a lithium-particle battery module for top loads, according to "Maritime News."
Conclusion
The MUM project is a promising step forward in underwater exploration. With its modular design, the world's largest submarine drone promises to bring unprecedented levels of performance and versatility to the field. As the prototype prepares to submerge soon, we look forward with anticipation to what it can do for ocean research and discovery.
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