French firm Marine Tech unveiled its hybrid unmanned vessel that can operate as a USV or UUV with a hydrodynamically efficient form.
The platform named Manta Unmanned Hybrid Vehicle (UHV) has a form much like a hydrofoil to keep the drag forces down when going on a cruise in both cases.
The wide body has a payload bay with up to 100 L capacity to mount sensors and communication equipment. The equipment includes sonars, hydrophones, cameras, GPS antennas, and 4G/5G communication antennas.
The propulsion consists of vertical thrusters for depth control and steerable main thrusters for cruising, both of which are electric-driven.
The logic behind this hybrid cruise concept is likely based on a more efficient cruise at the surface with the capability to dive when the need for underwater observation arises.
UHV also serves as an example of the many approaches to submersible vessel designs with two-layer operation capability. Another approach comes from Turkiye with Sefine's Nebula submersible USV design, which is modeled after Marlin/MIR USVs and features a significantly streamlined body for offensive or research purposes.
