High Resolution Data Collection with a Two-Man Portable UUV

The Bluefin-9 offers the most robust integrated set of sensors in a two-man portable UUV.

Equipped with environmental sensors, multi-aperture sonar, and a rapidly replaced data storage module and battery, the Bluefin-9 delivers data when you need it – and gets back in the water within minutes.

The Bluefin-9’s tightly integrated commercial off-the-shelf sensors deliver best-in-class imagery and collect bathymetric and environmental data, including data on water currents, temperature, salinity and turbidity. Designed for detailed hydrographic surveys, the Bluefin-9 is outfitted with Sonardyne Solstice Multi-Aperture Sonar (MAS) that provides high-resolution imagery even in littoral waters.

Bluefin-9 Environmental Sensing Suite

The Environmental Sensing Suite

The Bluefin-9 UUV is configured with a robust suite of integrated environmental sensors.

Sound Velocity, Water Temperature & Salinity

The integrated Valeport UV-SVP Sound Velocity Sensor provides direct measurement of sound velocity, water temperature and ambient water pressure. These measurements are used in the Post-Mission Analysis (PMA) to compute water salinity and conductivity, using known ocean models.

Turbidity & Chlorophyll-A Concentration

The integrated Sea-Bird Scientific ECO Pucks (Fluorometer and Turbidity (FLNTU) configuration) measures both chlorophyll-a and water turbidity.

Water Current

The Nortek Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) on the Bluefin-9 is capable of calculating the water current direction and speed near the vehicle, like an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). The DVL on the Bluefin-9 collects and provides current profiles extending from the vehicle to the seafloor, or to maximum range of the DVL.

Seafloor Optical Camera

A still image of lobster pot captured by Bluefin-9’s integrated machine-vision-grade monochrome camera

The Bluefin-9's Seafloor Optical Camera is optimized for low-light operation and captures still images at up to 3.2 megapixels or Full High-definition video. The monochrome camera delivers lower noise and higher overall image quality in a low-light subsea environment. Lighting provided by an LED floodlight can be turned on and off for relevant portions of a mission. All captured images are time-referenced for post-mission processing and analysis.