'Neerakshi'

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Context

• An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed to detect mines and a first of its kind in the country was launched.

Details

• The AUV named 'Neerakshi' is a collaboration of Kolkata-based warship maker Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd and MSME entity AEPL.
• The AUV was named “Neerakshi”(meaning “Eyes in the Water”)
• The lightweight and man-portable AUV has been designed to operate in a totally autonomous manner and its modular design enables it to carry out a variety of roles depending on the payload.
• The 2.15m long AUV will have an endurance of nearly 4 hours and is capable of operating up to a depth of 300m.
• These AUVs once in operation by our Armed Forces, could play an important role in mine countermeasure operations and also make excellent reusable targets during Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) practices by warships.
• They can also be deployed for passive acoustic monitoring during which they could remain in position for prolonged durations, monitoring the possible movement of sub-surface platforms.
• This can be used for a variety of functions ranging from mine detection to mine disposal to underwater survey.
• Once the user trials are complete, and user requirements are incorporated, commercial production of the AUV will commence.
• Efforts are in place to increase its endurance by 200-300%, enabling it to be deployed for coastguard duties either from a mother ship or the coast.

https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2023/august/13414-india-launches-neerakshi-autonomous-underwater-vehicle-for-mine-detection.html