Remote Controlled Minesweeping System (RCMS)

RCMS Control Data Link

• Full Duplex FHSS Military UHF radio transceivers.
• Autonomous Track Keeping using navigation controller and autopilot.
• COTS digital engines and controls (CANBUS/NMEA 2000).
• COTS autopilot, DGPS, Heading Device.
• NMEA 0183 interfaces to autopilot, DGPS, Heading Device.

The datalink is structured to carry STMC data and AAG/IAAG/UEP commands and reports. It is, as far as possible, USV platform independent.

* VMCS = VESSEL MONITORING & CONTROL SYSTEM
* STMC = SWEEP TRACKER MONITOR CONTROLLER

Command Ship Fitout

	Command Consoles (Command Platform)

Designed for use with Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) the RCMS is a versatile, low cost system that can be deployed from either a shore based deployment container, or a Command Ship, to control minesweeping USVs.

The RCMS is a scalable system with one RCMS Workstation being able to control and monitor up to four USVs via a single data link which has a planning range of 15 Nautical miles. A back up data link is activated.

The RCMS Workstation allows the Tactical Station Operator to use the VASCO-II software to plan and download the entire USV mission, including the transit route to and from the Q-Route as well as the actual minesweeping mission. The system is also able to incorporate breaks in the mission for such events as refuelling or sweep modification and take avoiding action when confronted with unforseen navigation dangers.

The RCMS Workstation also allows the Tactical Station Operator to monitor the status of machinery onboard each USV and control each USV using the Drone Monitoring and Control (DMC) display.

	Drone Monitoring and Control Display

11m USV

The hull is built from marine grade aluminium and incorporates internal ribbing and strength members for shock resistance. The transom is strengthened for the towing task. The USV incorporates a solid foam flotation collar which has no inflatable parts. The collar is sectioned to allow any damaged sections to be replaced.

	USV Internal Strength Members

USV Features

• Multi role
• Air, Sea, Road transportable
• Twin 440 hp marine diesels
• Twin 14 inch waterjets
• Two seat wheelhouse for manned transiting
• Environmental control for electronics/communications

Control and Monitor USVs

VASCO-II RCMS enables the Command Ship or Shore-based Command Station to control and monitor up to four minesweeping USVs as follows:

• Plan the route to be followed by each USV, including modified dogleg turns and end-of-segment turns
• Check the planned route for navigation hazards
• Remotely pilot each drone from the Command location to the selected segment of the selected Q-Route
• Monitor the speed, position and cross track error of each USV as they navigate autonomously along the planned track
• Remotely pilot the USV from the Q-Route to the re-fuelling point or back to the Command Ship
• Display the position of each USV and the Command Ship on the chart throughout the mission
• Display key parameters like Cross Track Error, Distance To Start of Segment and Distance To End of Segment for each drone

  	ADI’s VASCO-II navigation display on the Command Ship

• The planned route at a dogleg can be modified so that a USV, towing a sweep, runs-on past the waypoint to ensure that the sweep travels as closely as possible to the planned track.

	Planning a modified dogleg turn along a Q-Route

• The planned route is extended at the end of the segment to automatically include a minesweeping turn that safely directs the drone to the next run.

Hardware Options

Computer hardware for the MCS and RCMS is supplied to the Commercial Marine Grade specification of IEC 60945 Edition 3. Supply of computer hardware to MIL SPEC standards is also available.

Contact Details

For further information relating to mine countermeasures, please contact the General Manager Mine Countermeasures,
Jack Byrnes
ADI Limited
Building 314, Level 1
Garden Island NSW 2011

Tel: +61 2 9562 2991
Fax: +61 2 9562 2988
Email: jack.byrnes@adi-limited.com