DRDO develops new autonomous underwater vehicles for mine warfare

New Delhi, Nov 14: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully developed a new generation of Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs) designed for mine countermeasure operations.

The vehicles have been built by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam.

The system consists of multiple compact AUVs fitted with side-scan sonar and underwater cameras to enable real-time detection and classification of mine-like objects. DRDO said the platforms use deep learning–based target recognition algorithms to autonomously identify threats, reducing operator workload and cutting down mission duration. A robust underwater acoustic communication system has also been incorporated, allowing the AUVs to exchange data with one another during deployment and improving situational awareness. Recent field trials at NSTL and the adjacent harbour validated key performance parameters and mission objectives.