Unmanned underwater vehicles

Tender description

Within UKRI, the MARS glider group and the AUV operational and development groups exist to provide and to operate propeller-driven autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), gliders and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) for the British oceanographic science community. Mars currently supports all USVs and AUVs in the National Marine Equipment pool (NMEP). Operation and maintenance of all vehicles in the NMEP may be by Mars, by the user or by a combination of the 2, depending upon manpower and resources available. They will remain the responsibility of MARS. Purchases in the future will be to maintain, enhance and supplement the UKRI fleet and will include loss replacement and sensor development. MARS, other UKRI institutes, affiliates and universities to pilot them. This framework contract is to enable UKRI and MARS to purchase new and replacement vehicles, as well as components, spares, parts, sensors, batteries, calibrations and training to fulfil this role. Underwater fleet gliders. Including but not limited to operation of shallow, deep and ultra-deep gliders with capability of operating to 6 000 m depth or more in water temperatures between 0 and 30 degrees centigrade. Long range surface vehicles (USV) with capability including but not limited to operating for a least 3 months and more than 100 miles offshore without support and surviving in sea states and winds up to Beaufort 9. Short range surface vehicle (USV) requirements. Must have capability including but not limited to operating and surviving in sea states up to Beaufort 9. Micro AUV requirements. With capability including but not limited to operation for up to 8 hours, diving to 100 m and surviving in sea states and winds up to Beaufort 4.