ex Elly 197 Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 Royal New Zealand Navy to trial uncrewed, renewable-powered vessel The solar-, wind- or wave- powered vessel uses a retractable rigid sail to provide wind propulsion. Photo-electric cells on the sail can drive its motor. The USV will be constantly monitored and operated from a control room at Devonport Naval Base. Communication with the control room is through mobile phone signal while close to shore or via high- and low- bandwidth satellite when further offshore. In the absence of sunlight and wind, the Bluebottle has a unique flipper and rudder device to steer and propel itself. It has a top speed of five knots and the ability to operate at sea indefinitely in sea states up to 7 (wave heights of six to nine metres). https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/royal-new-zealand-navy-to-trial-uncrewed-renewable-powered-vessel/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waikiore 399 Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 Nice toy -it will be interesting how long it lasts, I can show you where to see a number of recent failed NZDF projects lie (of the marine persuasion) still at least with those the money was wasted in NZ with NZ taxpayers... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Psyche 633 Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 A hazard to navigation more like, but seriously why? Unmanned means no agency, just observation and it requires 24/7 manned operation to do what exactly? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K4309 262 Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 5 minutes ago, Psyche said: A hazard to navigation more like, but seriously why? Unmanned means no agency, just observation and it requires 24/7 manned operation to do what exactly? I was just reading that the Chief of Defense is telling the govt that to meet the new budget expectations he will have to ground aircraft. Probably the Seasprites, which is states is the primary defensive asset of our fighting ships. Minister for Defense, the Honourable Judith, has suggested that Defense do not do anything that is not core to Defense. Then along comes a new toy... I am sorry to mention politics and what not, but yes, the question is relevant, what is the purpose of this thing? Best I can see, assuming it was designed and built inhouse by Defense staff, is capability development of said staff. That would be fantastic if you want to start a company making autonomous boats for fishing or scientific research or something. I don't know if it was designed and built inhouse. Given the prevalence of satellites and sharply reducing cost of them, I'm not sure why you need an autonimous boat for spying, tracking fishing poachers or drug runners when you can see most of that with a premium subscription to Google Earth Pro or many other such satellite based systems. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aardvarkash10 960 Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 I suggest some commenters go back and actually read there article. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waikiore 399 Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 Correct it is for training purposes Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NZTiger 17 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 Maybe they could enter it in the coastal. Might be tricky to get to cat 3 though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ex Machina 366 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 4 hours ago, NZTiger said: Maybe they could enter it in the coastal. Might be tricky to get to cat 3 though. Feck that would be premium , enter the coastal and not have to sail the damn thing 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
grant 40 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 these things have been "sailing" in and out of Wellington a few times over the last year, https://www.saildrone.com/ apparently cruising all of the globe looking at stuff..... should point out they get towed in and out of the port and then go off on theor own. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Elenya 33 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 Great news for NZ. These have been planned for some time so good to see they are here and in use. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waikiore 399 Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 There seems to be confusion about its name, was christened Bluebottle in Aussie -perhaps our young Navy ratings dont realise the significance of that name. All together now "Hes fallin in the water" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aardvarkash10 960 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 Min! I say Min! Stop the crazy contrapunct rhythm footsteps Min! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ynot 45 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 But what does it do? What if someone hits it ? Has it got a steaming light ? What if Physce hits it and sinks one or the other . Will insurance cover it? Very cool but why ? Is it colregs compliant will it give way ? To other vessels under sail ? Who paid for it and why ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Psyche 633 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 So many questions! It appears to have nothing to to with the purpose of the navy, which is to ultimately defend nz from the invasion of the.....er something??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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