Russia’s JSC Tetis Pro Orders Ten More Saab Seaeye Falcon ROVs

Ten more Saab Seaeye Falcon ROVs have been ordered by Russia’s JSC Tetis Pro, bringing the total sold into the Russian Federation to 24 – and more are planned.

“Nothing matches the Falcon,” says Head of ROV at Tetis, Dmitry Voytov. “It is small and mobile, yet powerful and simple to use.”

He also likes that it can be quickly deployed for many different tasks. “Various tooling skids can be added and changed as needed, and upgrading is easy.

It can also work in the most demanding conditions and in powerful currents, despite its compact size.”

Most of the ten ordered will be used for civil defence emergencies and dealing with the consequences of natural disasters.

They will be installed aboard search and rescue vessels, ready to survey for objects using multi-beam sonar.

Two will also go to EMERCOM – the Russian Centre of Preparation to be deployed aboard a Russian Naval vessel.

Earlier Falcons have been used in a wide variety of roles across Russia, explains Dmitry Voytov, including survey andinspection work; icebreaker support work where they are fitted with a detachable five-stage manipulator skid for light work tasks; preparing underwater cargo ready for lifting; undertaking pipeline free-span monitoring; carrying out mine detection prior to pipe-laying; marine biology work; and deployment within the Russian Navy.

He says they were used during failure of the Sayano-Shushenkaya hydro-electric power plant; and helped to recover victims when the Bulgaria sank and when an aircraft crashed in Teletckoe lake.

“Quick reaction is often essential, which is why we need, small, mobile systems that can be thrown into whatever area of operation is needed.”

With over 260 Falcon ROVs in use around the globe, its success has come from being small enough to manhandle into the water, yet powerful enough to hold steady in strong cross currents and operate tooling of all kinds.

Its trusted design is packed with technological innovations such as intelligent ‘plug-and-go’ electronics for rapid role-change during operations – which means that up to 128 different devices can be fitted, including extra cameras, lights, tracking system, manipulator and sonar, plus the option of adding special tooling on a removable skid.

For survey work, the Seaeye Falcon has the advantage of a low electrical and acoustic noise signature that allows for optimum survey sensor data.

Its unrivalled manoeuvrability comes from five brushless DC thrusters with velocity feedback for precise and rapid control in all directions.

Half of the Falcons ordered by Tetis this time round are the Falcon DR, deep rated to 1000 metres, and others the standard 300 metre rated Falcon.

Dmitry Voytov says that the small size of the Falcon is no restriction on its work in difficult conditions, or the large spectrum of equipment that can be fitted.

“It is a workhorse that can cope with practically any underwater task for its size, with no other vehicle of its small class coming anywhere near in price to the Falcon,” he concludes.

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff , January 09, 2012; Image: seaeye