Ocean Power Technologies Inc (NYSE-A:OPTT) is participating in a week-long uncrewed surface vehicle demonstration hosted by the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory in Duck, North Carolina.
The demonstration at ERDC’s Field Research Facility is evaluating uncrewed surface vehicle technologies capable of operating through surf zones, breaking waves, currents and coastal inlets. OPT was selected to participate following a competitive technical evaluation and will demonstrate its WAM-V maritime drone platform in live coastal conditions.
ERDC is assessing platforms and sensing technologies for applications including bathymetric mapping and submerged-hazard detection. The technologies could potentially support US Army Corps of Engineers civil works missions as well as military activities such as logistics over the shore, where information on nearshore water depths and hazards can be important for vessel operations.
“We believe reliable autonomous operations in the surf zone may open an important set of missions that remain difficult and hazardous for conventional vessels and personnel,” Jason Weed, senior vice president of commercial sales at OPT, said in a statement.
“This demonstration gives us the opportunity to show how the WAM-V platform’s mobility, shallow draft and adaptable payload architecture can support nearshore operations in challenging real-world conditions.”
OPT’s WAM-V platform uses an articulating suspension system intended to improve stability and reduce structural loading while operating in waves. The platform also has a modular architecture designed to accommodate hydrographic and other sensing payloads for defense, research and civil applications.
The company noted that participation in the demonstration does not constitute a procurement contract or a commitment by the US government. ERDC has indicated that technologies showing promise could be considered for follow-on testing, subject to funding availability.
