German Navy acquires new Deep Trekker Revolution ROVs

The German Navy has acquired six Revolution ROVs from Canadian company Deep Trekker. (Bundeswehr/Nguyen)

The German Navy has taken delivery of six new Deep Trekker Revolution remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), the German armed forces has confirmed.

The new ROVs, which were procured by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to meet an urgent operational requirement, will be deployed by the German Navy's 3rd Minesweeper Squadron for mine-warfare tasks, including port and hull inspection.

The Revolution ROV is a rapidly deployable multirole platform that can operate to depths of up to 305 m, and in temperatures ranging from -10°C to 50°C. The system is connected to the control unit by a 800 m-long buoyant tether, which is designed to carry loads of up to 100 kg.

The unit has a dry weight of 26 kg and an endurance of up to eight hours. It features a revolving head that enables operators to rotate an inbuilt high-resolution 4K camera, sonar, and manipulator arm through 260° while automatically station-holding in moving water. The ROV also has integrated lights.

Propulsion is provided by six thrusters, two for precise vertical movements and four for lateral movements.

The system is powered by internal lithium-ion batteries that can be quickly swapped out in the field to ensure continuous operations.