Energy, defence and science marine technology company, Sonardyne, has introduced a range-topping model of its hybrid, underwater and surface vehicle navigation platform, SPRINT-Nav Mini.

The new Navigator version, available to order from today, extends the capability of the Guidance model introduced last year, by calculating and providing the position of a remote, autonomous or piloted underwater vehicle, or uncrewed surface vehicle, in addition to its velocity, depth and attitude.

Small in size and low in power, SPRINT-Nav Mini is engineered to provide accurate, precise and robust guidance, and also survey and inspection capabilities, for vehicle platforms that would normally not be able to host high-end navigation systems. These include observation-class ROVs, low-logistic AUVs, manned submersibles, swimmer delivery vehicles and USVs operating in shallow waters.

With field-proven technology transferred from Sonardyne’s popular SPRINT-Nav product line, the Mini family combines an INS, AHRS, pressure sensor and 500 kHz DVL in a single subsea housing that is just 215 mm-high, 149 mm in diameter and as little as 0.7 kg in water; smaller, lighter and lower power than any other competing technology in the same class, and lower in cost than the individual vehicle sensors it replaces.

SPRINT-Nav Mini continues to work even in challenging environments, such as around surface structures and GNSS denied environments, providing a continuous stream of latitude and longitudes, orientation, velocities, depth and altitude at up to 200 updates per second to a vehicle’s primary control system.

Available in 300 m and 4,000 m depth options, with a class leading maximum DVL altitude of up to 200 m, all SPRINT-Navs are supplied pre-calibrated from the factory, enabling users to install it and get to work easily and quickly. Existing owners of SPRINT-Nav Minis can upgrade their Guidance units to the new Navigator version, remotely in the field.

It’s an incredibly exciting time for developers and operators of small ROVs, AUVs and USVs with transformational technologies like our SPRINT-Nav Mini Navigator being a true enabler for safer, more efficient and cleaner operations across the maritime space.” He added: “The technology platform is low risk and field proven. This new flagship model will enable vehicle manufacturers and operators to enjoy all the benefits of Doppler inertial navigation from a single instrument. What I like is the simplicity, one unit that’s simple to integrate and easy to operate, leaving more space and power for other data collection payloads. And that ultimately means more capable vehicle for the user

Aidan Thorn, Business Development Manager, Marine Robotics at Sonardyne