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The drone can stay underwater for 15 days at a depth of 6 km and be used for reconnaissance and surveillance.
The electric underwater drone from Kongsberg (Norway) has successfully passed 15-day tests, which means that it is now ready for delivery to the customer, writes Interesting engineering.
Endurance is rightfully considered the most advanced autonomous underwater drone to date. The submarine was first tested in March 2023, and the final tests were recently completed after a series of adjustments.
The company said that the device was very interested in the military, as well as representatives of the commercial sphere. Completion of the tests will allow Kongsberg to start filling orders.
“The Endurance can accommodate any payload the customer desires. It is designed for mapping, surveying the seabed, oceanography, observing critically important underwater infrastructure or changes in ecosystems," the company's representatives explained.
The Endurance underwater drone is the largest in the family of drones produced by Kongsberg subsidiary Kongsberg Discovery. First launched in 2021, it is equipped with a variety of modular sensors and equipment such as a high-resolution synthetic aperture sonar (HISAS 1032 Dual RX) capable of acquiring images with a wide field of view, a multibeam echo sounder (EM 2040 MkII), a bottom profiling system , color camera and laser profilograph. It is also equipped with a magnetometer and environmental sensors that collect data on conductivity, temperature, speed of sound, methane concentration, CO2 and O2.
The drone has a spacious, customizable interior that can store various batteries and other payloads as needed. It is designed for autonomous operation from the shore, and with a full set of batteries will provide a range of up to 1200 nautical miles (2200 km) and stay at sea for up to 15 days. It can also autonomously survey 1100 km² of the ocean floor at a maximum depth of 6 m.
After a number of refinements, the device received a new autonomous mission control system, increased situational awareness and the ability to cope with variable water density.
