The Central Design Bureau “Rubin” has developed and will present for the first time at the “Army-2024” exhibition a project for an unmanned underwater station called “Octavis,” which can recharge marine drones underwater, the company told RIA Novosti.
The Rubin Central Design Bureau is the main developer of strategic nuclear submarines, non-nuclear multipurpose submarines, and underwater vehicles in Russia. The “Army-2024” exhibition will take place from August 12 to 18 in Kubinka, near Moscow.
“The concept project of the unmanned underwater station ‘Octavis’ will be presented by JSC ‘Rubin Central Design Bureau’ at the ‘Army-2024’ exhibition. The station ensures the long-term operation of autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles,” the statement said.
When an underwater vehicle docks with “Octavis,” it can recharge its battery or “park” at the station while waiting for the next mission. Octavis will analyze the vehicle’s technical condition and software.
“Octavis” can also serve as a center for storing and transmitting information: the station will temporarily store data collected by the underwater vehicle and transmit it to a shore center or other vehicles. The shore center can use “Octavis” to send the underwater vehicle to the program for its next mission.
Additionally, “Octavis” can collect information about environmental parameters, particularly for ecological monitoring in the area where the station is installed.
“Thanks to the unmanned underwater station, at least one underwater robot will always be ready for action. ‘Octavis’ will eliminate the risks associated with launching and retrieving the vehicle, especially in stormy conditions. The cost of missions will be reduced, as there will be no need for a support ship to be constantly present. All of this will contribute to broader monitoring of the underwater environment, ensuring resource extraction, and collecting scientific data on oceanology and climate,” the Central Design Bureau noted.
The concept project envisions that “Octavis” can be built in several configurations. The station can rest on the seabed or be anchored in the water column; its installation depth can vary from 500 to 1,000 meters. Depending on hydrographic conditions and the nature of the underwater vehicle missions, “Octavis” can service between one and three robots.
“Octavis” is equipped with a lithium-ion battery; in addition, there is provision for power supply from an external battery module or several modules. The development of the concept project includes various options for powering “Octavis”: from the shore, from a marine platform, and even from devices that convert ocean energy.
