Economical - Engineered for Simplicity

The SSS Unmanned Autonomous Semi-Submersible Gen6 platform variant, capable of indefinite duration ocean sensing and communications missions, costs a fraction of its nearest competitor. Only one electro-mechanical component is required for the system to sail with a total electrical load of less than one Watt. Training is minimal and the User Interface is among the simplest in the industry. No special handling equipment is required to deploy from docks or small boats with one-to-two personnel.

Low Visual & IR Signature + Very Quiet

With the hull below the waterline and transparent wingsail with low radar reflectivity, the SSS Unmanned Autonomous Semi-Submersible Gen6 vessel maintains a very low visual and IR signature. The benefit is a system that can be very difficult to locate, whether for covert operations or to prevent theft. Operators can select higher profile wingsails with markings and/or additional solar panels for more power generation. The solar panels on the deck or on the wingsail charge NiMH batteries set in the hull, which also serves as ballast at the lowest point for stability. Gen6 generates and maintains its own power with no external inputs required.

The servo for the rudder is the only electro-mechanical part required in the unmanned autonomous monohull to sail thereby improving reliability and decreasing the acoustic signature. The creation of minimal wake enhances this feature. This is particularly useful when the mission requires listening for ambient sound in the ocean such as Right Whale monitoring or listening for illegal vessel incursions into Exclusive Economic Zones.

The Unmanned Autonomous Gen6 Vessel has an optional ability to completely submerge to 10m below the surface in order to hide from bad weather or bad actors. This is accomplished through a ballasting system built into the float assembly.

Patented

SubSeaSail has an active IP roadmap with two important US patents issued and a number pending domestically and internationally. The first issued patent is for the Passive Wingsail Control Mechanism that sets the wingsail at the proper angle for propulsion without the use of complicated and expensive electronics, pulleys, or lines. The second issued patent is for an unmanned autonomous sailing vessel with the hull below the waterline, reducing drag, wake, and visual signature. A single electro-mechanical part required to sail (the servo for the rudder) results in a platform that is remarkably quiet and highly reliable.

Scalable + Variable

The SubSeaSail unmanned autonomous vessel technology was developed to create multiple variants at almost any scale. While SSS has primarilly focused on monohull design, a dual-hull catamaran was built and tested as Gen2. The catamaran system is able to sail with the dual hulls below the water or it can surface and sail above water. The catamaran variant allows a series of applications such as launch/landing/recharge of unmanned aerial vehicles or carrying large payloads for delivery straight onto a beach or into shallow harbors. The Passive Wingsail Control Mechanism and wingsail can be scaled to work for larger unmanned autonomous vessels.

Multi and variable use semi-submersible platforms are being developed. For example, a “mobile gateway” will allow communications between subsurface assets, surface assets and atmospheric/satellite communication systems. Another opportunity is swarming platforms with acoustic towed arrays. A third is to carry UUVs to deploy/retrieve/recharge. This last capability greatly reduces risk to personnel and vessels when deploying assets in hazardous areas.