Navy picks Hydronalix for micro unmanned aircraft, boats, and sensors research in explosives detection
LAKEHURST, N.J. – U.S. Navy unmanned vehicles experts needed a company to integrate micro unmanned vehicles with sensor payloads for surveillance and enemy explosives detection. They found their solution from Hydronalix Inc. in Green Valley, Ariz.
Officials of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, N.J., announced a $9.1 million order to Green Valley last week for research into a variety of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned surface vessels (USVs).
Some of this micro unmanned aircraft and boat technologies will be for explosive ordnance neutralization in harbors, rivers, and in shallow coastal waters for the U.S. Marine Corps.
Other potential applications of these micro unmanned vehicles are compact, lightweight autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) with robust navigation and range for riverine reconnaissance; additive manufacturing for sonobuoy applications; swarming unmanned vehicles for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; efficient propellers for small unmanned vessels; and expeditionary maritime mine countermeasures.
Hydronalix experts will handle sensors integration, control software, and communications systems for micro-unmanned surface and aerial vessels.
Sponsors of this contract include the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA); and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
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Hydronalix specializes in extreme-performance small unmanned vehicles, for water and air, and offers advanced research and development; design and prototyping; and test and evaluation. Founded in 2009, the company is known for robotic water rescue systems and advanced USVs using composite and ceramic materials.
The company also designs energy-efficient propulsion systems for long-duration missions with high dash speeds. The unmanned systems are man-portable and designed for easy operations, field maintenance, service, and repair. Hydronalix also offers expertise with integrating sensors and communication payloads on UAVs and USVs.
On this order Hydronalix will do the work in Green Valley, Ariz., and should be finished by September 2026. For more information contact Hydronalix online at www.hydronalix.com, or the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division-Lakehurst at www.navair.navy.mil/lakehurst.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
