The Belgian Navy has tested the Exail R7 remotely operated vehicle during a Spain-led mine countermeasures exercise in the Balearic Sea.
The event followed the delivery of six R7 systems to Brussels in April, increasing the military’s anti-mine capabilities in addition to its Remus unmanned underwater vehicles.
Trials involved the detection and scanning of the Manta and the Rockan shallow water-deployed anti-ship and anti-landing cylindrical explosives in areas such as the seabed and wrecks.
During the activity, the R7 transmitted real-time images of threats to operators on the surface via a 300-meter (984-foot) fiber optic cable.
Brussels noted that the tests validated the subsea drone’s functionality to efficiently assist in mine inspections.
It further highlighted that the platform’s direct image analysis allows naval mine warfare teams to rapidly address targets in the event of a suspicious contact while increasing safety for divers.
“We have to keep up with technology and also dare to innovate to remain relevant,” the Belgian Navy’s Very Shallow Water Team stated.
“If the REMUS is stuck, something can be cut or picked up via a gripper arm. The R7 offers an interesting package of possibilities.”
Exail’s R7 ROV
The R7 ROV is designed with a compact chassis and lightweight components for convenient deployment across mine detection, search and rescue, maritime-based recovery, resource protection, ship maintenance, and diver assistance tasks.
It weighs less than 35 kilograms (77 pounds) and is 78 centimeters (31 inches) long.
The drone is fitted with seven multi-directional thrusters, enabling horizontal and vertical maneuvers as well as position correction.
It can dive up to 300 meters (984 feet) and move at a speed of 3 knots (6 kilometers/3 miles per hour).
Exail’s product portal said that the R7 system is currently employed in more than 50 naval services internationally.
