Cellula is pleased to announce the Solus-LR AUV program has reached a major milestone with the completion of full vehicle sea trials. Solus-LR now includes the fuel cell, suction anchor and variable buoyancy engine modules; the vehicle measures 8.5m long by 1m diameter and displaces 3,700kg.

Sea trials focused on control system tuning, suction anchor performance and hydrodynamic drag analysis. Based on the results from this testing, Cellula has confirmed Solus-LR has a range potential of 2,000 km while cruising a 1.5m/s (3kts) with sufficient payload power to operate a typical survey payload for the entire mission.

Solus-LR was built for Defence Research and Development Canada under the All Domain Situational Awareness Science and Technology Program.  Additional fuel cell-powered missions are currently planned for the summer of 2021.

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is the national leader in defence and security science and technology. DRDC provides the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments, as well as the public safety and national security communities, the knowledge and technological advantage needed to defend and protect Canada’s interests at home and abroad. For more information, please visit DRDC’s website; read their press release here.

All Domain Situational Awareness (ADSA) S&T Program: Through an investment of up to $133 million over five years, through to 2020, in the ADSA S&T Program, DND is supporting a variety of innovative research and analysis projects, the outcomes of which are expected to contribute to the development of options for enhanced domain awareness of air, maritime surface and sub-surface approaches to Canada, in particular those in the Arctic. This research and analysis will be delivered through collaboration with other government departments, academia, industry and allies. Surveillance solutions explored and potentially selected will strengthen the Government of Canada’s ability to exercise sovereignty in the North, and will provide a greater whole-of-government awareness of safety and security issues, as well as transportation and commercial activity in Canada’s Arctic.