General Dynamics Corp. (GD)

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General Dynamics Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Detects Threats to Ship Hulls and Structures

Using acoustic sonar and high-resolution imaging, Bluefin Robotics' H-AUV records a hull's condition and can identify potential threats to the ship while keeping divers safe.

MONTEREY, Calif., Sept. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Mission Systems featured the Bluefin Robotics hovering-autonomous underwater vehicle (H-AUV) at OCEANS 2016 in Monterey, California. The Bluefin Robotics H-AUV locates, identifies and maps structural issues on a ship's hull including large ocean going cargo ships, petroleum and chemical tankers, cruise ships and military surface and sub-surface vessels without dry-docking the ship.

"Inspecting ship hulls and other underwater surfaces can be a manpower- and cost-intensive part of a ship's observation and maintenance," said Matt Graziano, director of Autonomous Undersea Systems for General Dynamics Mission Systems. "This H-AUV also reduces the risk to divers when inspecting potential threats attached to a ship's hull or other structure."

The Bluefin Robotics H-AUV operates autonomously and navigates along a hull, bridges or piers. High-resolution images are streamed, recorded and stored by the H-AUV for shipboard or shore-based operators to observe in real time, or study once the scan is complete. The H-AUV can also conduct undersea observation for port and harbor security, underwater law enforcement investigations, archeological and academic research.

General Dynamics Mission Systems develops, builds and operates a portfolio of Bluefin Robotics Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and related technologies for defense, commercial and academic customers worldwide.

General Dynamics Mission Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). For more information about General Dynamics Mission Systems, please visit gdmissionsystems.com and follow us on Twitter @GDMS.

Editor's note: Photographs of the Bluefin Robotics H-AUV and images of a ship's hull taken by the H-AUV are available by selecting the "Gallery" tab on the H-AUV webpage: http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/vehicles-batteries-and-services/hauv

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SOURCE General Dynamics Mission Systems