DRDO Unveils New Man-Portable Underwater Vehicles
India has strengthened its undersea surveillance capability with the Defence Research and Development Organisation developing a new generation of man-portable autonomous underwater vehicles. The system aims to support rapid mine detection and enhance naval preparedness along critical coastal zones.
Key Features Of The MP-AUV System
The newly developed vehicles operate autonomously and are fitted with side-scan sonar and underwater cameras. These payloads allow real-time identification of mine-like threats during maritime missions. Each AUV is compact, lightweight and suitable for deployment from small vessels.
Advanced Recognition Technologies
A major advancement in the system is the integration of deep-learning-based algorithms. These enable automatic classification of underwater objects, helping reduce operator effort and improving mission efficiency. The capability also enhances the consistency of data collected during high-risk operations.
Role Of DRDO’s NSTL
The project has been executed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory in Visakhapatnam. The laboratory focuses on naval systems and underwater technologies and has contributed several platforms to India’s maritime defence.
Exam Oriented Facts
- MP-AUVs have been developed by DRDO’s NSTL, Visakhapatnam.
- They use side-scan sonar and underwater cameras for detection.
- Deep-learning algorithms allow autonomous target classification.
- Primary objective: real-time identification of mine-like objects.
Strategic Importance For Maritime Security
The introduction of these AUVs is expected to boost India’s underwater mine-countermeasure capability. Their ability to function autonomously makes them suitable for coastal monitoring, harbour protection and sensitive maritime operations.
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