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Bluefin Completes Deep Testing of DARPA UUV

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:30:00 -0400

Quincy, MA, USA—3 April 2013— Bluefin Robotics, a leading provider of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), announced that the company has successfully completed deep-water testing of a specialized UUV for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The system was developed under a Phase II subcontract from Applied Physical Sciences Corp. (APS) for the Deep Sea Operations (DSOP) Program. DSOP is part of DARPA’s Distributed Agile Submarine Hunting program (DASH), which aims to develop affordable distributed technology to address Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) surveillance needs over large, operationally relevant areas.

In February, Bluefin mobilized a Boston Harbor Cruises’ vessel, the Scarlett Isabella, at their dock in Quincy, Massachusetts and transited for over 48 hours towards the testing site. While severe weather brought on by Storm Q forced the team to adjust logistics plans, they were able to successfully conduct six days of operational testing including two 4,450-meter dives totaling 11 hours.

Testing of the system provided Bluefin an opportunity to vet several new vehicle capabilities for their modular UUVs including an extended operational depth rating, an advanced pressure vessel design, a new power system, a newly available high-powered acoustics transducer system, and a transportable docking head launch and recovery system.

“I am proud to have a team, partners, and vendors that step up to solve subsea challenges,” said David P. Kelly, President and CEO of Bluefin Robotics. “We are looking forward to tackling the next set of challenges posed by the DARPA Program and applying our hard-won experiences to others.”

Phase III of the contract was awarded in early March and will fund the full integration of the deep-sea sonar into the vehicle, as well as fund the production of a second system with sonar to support networked operations.

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

Bluefin Robotics designs, manufactures and operates Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) systems and related technology. Founded in 1997, the company has grown to become a world leader in UUV products designed for defense, commercial, and scientific applications. Bluefin Robotics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Battelle. For more information, please send your inquires to sales@bluefinrobotics.com or visit www.bluefinrobotics.com.

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Bluefin Subsea Lithium Battery Receives Navy Safety Approval

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:20:56 -0400

Quincy, MA, USA – 2 April 2013 - Bluefin Robotics, a leading provider of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and related subsea technologies, announced that the US Navy has granted a safety approval for its standard 1.5 kWh Subsea Battery for use with the HAUV system including transport aboard Naval aircraft. The approval validates Bluefin’s mature and proven design for subsea power solutions and is received as the company significantly increases production rates for this and similar battery systems.

“We are very pleased with the results of the testing,” said Dr. Richard Wilson, Director of Power Systems at Bluefin Robotics. “The approval adds to our safety reputation for subsea battery technology and highlights the quality and effort we put into all our battery systems, both for our military and commercial clients.”

In October 2012, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) performed an updated series of lithium battery safety tests, including those addressing both performance and safety. Safety tests were conducted primarily in accordance with NAVSEA TM S9310-AQ-SAF-010, but also with some input from NAVSEA TM SG270-BV-SAF-010. Results concluded that the battery delivered a consistent amount of energy without significant capacity fade, and safety devices were highly effective with respect to voltage, current, and temperature.

When the battery was cycled under high current conditions, it experienced high temperatures, which activated the safeties and prevented the battery from further charging, preventing high temperature conditions. Safety testing of the battery produced predictable and expected results for a li-ion battery utilizing a LiCoO2 cathode in a pouch cell format. In addition, the battery management system was highly effective in preventing unsafe operating conditions. Testing was performed by NSWCCD’s Materials and Power Systems Branch, Code 616.

Bluefin Robotics has been designing, manufacturing and fielding subsea batteries and custom power solutions for over ten years and has produced over 1,000,000 watt-hours of energy. Bluefin batteries have powered autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles, manned vehicles and other subsea platforms and structures.

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

Bluefin Robotics designs, manufactures and operates Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) systems and related technology. Founded in 1997, the company has grown to become a world leader in AUV products designed for defense, commercial, and scientific applications. Bluefin Robotics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Battelle. For more information, please send your inquires to sales@bluefinrobotics.com or visit www.bluefinrobotics.com.

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Tesla Offshore Purchases Bluefin-21 for Deepwater Survey Business

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:00:00 -0400

Quincy, MA, USA - 27 March 2013 - Bluefin Robotics, a leading provider of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and related subsea technologies, announced that Tesla Offshore LLC has purchased a Bluefin-21 AUV.

Randall P. Bergeron, President and CEO of Tesla Offshore stated that, "In the highly competitive and evolving field of AUV development, Bluefin Robotics certainly belongs at the top of a very short list of suppliers that could meet our subsea data acquisition and sensor integration criteria. With such a strong background in innovative solutions in the AUV market, and the flexibility to meet our operational goals and timeframes, Bluefin Robotics was able to put together an ideal vehicle that will allow Tesla Offshore to undertake our clients' most challenging deepwater survey operations anywhere in the world."

This purchase coincides with Tesla's intent to expand its presence in deepwater oil and gas field development, as well as positioning itself to pursue governmental, environmental and academic applications support. Tesla Offshore will operate their AUV on a global basis and, specifically, in the Gulf of Mexico where US government regulatory agents are considering proposals that mandate archeological and shallow hazard survey data be acquired by AUV technologies. Assigned to spearhead the implementation of the technology are Tesla's Nathaniel Usher, Director of Geoscience and George Loy, Innovative Solutions Manager.

The Tesla Bluefin-21 AUV is a modular system capable of carrying multiple sensors in a single payload section. It boasts a highly efficient power solution that enables extended operations at depths up to 4,500 meters. The innovative design includes swappable payload sections and battery modules for fast surface turnaround, as well as portability and flexibility to operate from various ships of opportunity worldwide.

The AUV's unique sensor suite has been chosen to exceed the data quality and resolution requirements of today's deepwater survey markets. These include a broadband multibeam echosounder, a chirp sub-bottom profiler, and a very high definition digital camera. In addition, the system will be the first AUV in the industry to boast a state-of-the-art fully-integrated synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) produced by Raytheon Applied Signal Technology. The PROSAS® Surveyor is expected to provide a decimetric imaging resolution across swath ranges up to 450 meters per side, which in turn can lead to increased survey efficiency at depth.

About Tesla Offshore LLC

With offices in Houston, Texas and Prairieville, Louisiana, Tesla Offshore LLC serves the Gulf of Mexico and offshore waters around the globe. For more information, contact CD Schempf, Jr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Tesla Offshore LLC, at schempfc@teslaoffshore.com.

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

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Knifefish UUV Enters EMD Phase After Extensive Component Testing

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:55:55 -0400

15 March 2013 - The Knifefish unmanned underwater vehicle that will be added to the Littoral Combat Ship's mine countermeasures mission package in 2017 has entered into the engineering and manufacturing development phase after completing a critical design review in January that included significant risk-reduction measures, the program manager said last week.

The Knifefish unmanned underwater vehicle that will be added to the Littoral Combat Ship's mine countermeasures mission package in 2017 has entered into the engineering and manufacturing development phase after completing a critical design review in January that included significant risk-reduction measures, the program manager said last week.

The Navy and the Knifefish contracting team put it through extensive component and subsystem testing leading up to and as part of the CDR to reduce risk in key pieces of technology, such as the propulsion system in the tail cone and the Low Frequency Broadband synthetic aperture sonar, Capt. Duane Ashton, unmanned maritime systems program manager in the program executive office for LCS, told Inside the Navy in a March 13 interview. "It's all part of trying to identify risk areas and then coming up with strategies and potential testing to mitigate that risk to ensure success in the end," he said.

The Knifefish will hunt for buried mines and mines in a high-clutter environment using the Low Frequency Broadband synthetic aperture sonar, which provides improved probability of detection, classification and identification compared to older sonars, as well as a lower rate of false alarms. Knifefish would launch from the LCS, search for and map mines and then return to the ship with its data, keeping sailors out of the minefield.

The sonar system in particular required more attention and additional testing because, aside from being pivotal to the UUV's mission, it was a prototype developed by the Office of Naval Research and the Naval Research Laboratory. Ashton said the research and development community has been working on the technology for about a decade now, but the assurance of having a little extra testing under their belts made a big difference when examining the vehicle's overall risk -- particularly for such a leap-ahead technology, which replaces, among other things, mine-detecting mammals.

"As we move forward out of the preliminary design review, this is one area we want to make sure we get right," Ashton said. "So everything that we learn now gives us an opportunity prior to putting the full system together as part of that engineering development model in 2014, so we're actually ahead of the game if you think about it." He said there were no real surprises during the component and subsystem testing, which included tests on propulsion and steering, sonar receivers and transmitters, the lithium ion battery, and the data conversion and storage system.

Read the full article here: Knifefish UUV Enters EMD Phase After Extensive Component Testing

Bluefin Welcomes Former Navy Captain Jon Tobias to Sales Team

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 09:58:54 -0500

Quincy, MA, USA—11 February 2013— Bluefin Robotics, a leading provider of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), is pleased to announce that Mr. Jonathan Tobias has joined the company as Business Director of Defense and International Markets. The former Navy Captain’s primary focus at Bluefin is to expand the company’s presence into domestic and international naval markets and to enhance their undersea warfare capabilities by offering the most state-of-the-art UUV technology.

“Jon’s impressive domain knowledge and expertise is going to help Bluefin better align our products with evolving operational needs.” said Mr. Omer Poroy, Bluefin’s Vice President of Business Development. “We are pleased to have someone of his caliber choose to continue his career with Bluefin and we are very excited to have him on board to grow this business area.”

Jon Tobias has over 25 years of mine warfare experience and served in a variety of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) leadership positions including command of an EOD Mobile Unit and a Mine Countermeasures Squadron. He led specially equipped ships, helicopters, and divers in response to the worldwide threat from sea mines, as well as expeditionary forces conducting operations in naval task groups during joint force EOD, mine warfare, maritime security, and diving operations in all U.S. Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

Before joining Bluefin, Jon was a program manager and core team member for Whitney, Bradley, and Brown, Inc. in the requirements development sector. His work included development and delivery of Capability Production Documents (CPDs), Capabilities Based Assessments, Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), time-sensitive Joint force studies and analyses, and a variety of other consulting products.

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

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Bluefin to Deliver Knifefish Variant to Naval Research Laboratory

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:00:00 -0500

Quincy, MA, USA—24 January 2013—Bluefin Robotics, a leading provider of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), announced that they will produce a variation of the Knifefish UUV for the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). Knifefish is a specialized Bluefin-21 UUV that is being developed for the Surface Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (SMCM UUV) program for which Bluefin is under subcontract to General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. Bluefin completed the Knifefish Preliminary Design Review earlier this year and will leverage that design to deliver a system to NRL. The vehicle will be used to advance NRL’s low-frequency broadband (LFBB) payload technology and support their broader mission to advance basic and applied research in undersea warfare.

“We are pleased that we are able to easily adapt the Knifefish design for NRL’s specific needs,” said David P. Kelly, President and CEO of Bluefin Robotics. “This is just another example of how the UUV technology is maturing into a reliable, robust platform option for advancing new science and capability.”

Bluefin’s technology has proven suitable for specialized acoustic payloads like NRL’s LFBB sonar. For the past ten years, the two groups have been working closely together on developing and fielding the Reliant vehicle, a Bluefin-21 used as a science and technology system for the original LFBB development.

“Science and defense programs are now mutually benefitting from the investments made in the UUV technology. Bluefin has been a key contributor to that effort with the Reliant vehicle, their commercial systems, Knifefish, and now with our new UUV,” said Dr. Brian Houston, head of NRL’s Physical Acoustics Branch. “The science made possible with this vehicle will advance the nation’s mine-hunting capabilities that can be incorporated into future generations of UUVs.”

In addition to many of the Knifefish features, NRL’s new vehicle will be equipped with two-way iridium communications, specialized sensors, and empty sections that will accommodate their acoustic payload, including a towed receiver array, and a reacquisition capability. Bluefin will also deliver topside support equipment and graphical-user interface software tools.

This program is being funded as a contract modification to contract #N00173-10-C-6008.

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

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Bluefin's Megawatt-Hour Energizes Subsea Industry

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 11:29:10 -0500

Quincy, MA, USA - 10 January 2013 - Bluefin Robotics, a leading provider of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and related subsea technologies, announced that as of this month the company's in-house battery group has produced over 1,000,000 watt-hours of subsea batteries. The announcement comes on the heels of the company receiving several orders for AUVs, vehicle power upgrades, and customized power systems for the commercial oil and gas market.

"Storing and delivering power is one of the most challenging aspects of subsea platforms," said David Kelly, President and CEO of Bluefin Robotics. "We are thrilled to apply the advances we've made with our AUV power solution elsewhere to solve an industry-wide problem."

Bluefin has been building field-swappable subsea batteries for over ten years to address critical power needs for their modular AUVs. The company offers a commercial-off-the-shelf 1.5 kWh pack and custom power solutions for a variety of underwater applications including profilers, subsea equipment, ROVs, and other submersible platforms.

"We chose the Bluefin battery because it is fully pressure-tolerant, easy to replace, and provides very high energy density," said Andrew Barnard, Vice President of Research and Development at WET Labs. WET Labs has been using the 1.5 kWh pack in their Autonomous Moored Profilers for the last five years. For more details on recent deployments of the profiler, please visit the Autonomous Moored Profiler webpage.

Bluefin's standard 1.5kWh pack is waterproof, pressure-tolerant, and includes its own smart electronics for self-balancing, monitoring and safety. Drop-and-play connectors allow for users to easily swap packs in minutes at sea without ever opening a pressure vessel. In addition, batteries can be shipped by air in their UN-certified case.

Since the core technology is scalable, Bluefin has delivered batteries in a variety of capacities including 1.8 kWh, 3.5 kWh, and 8.88 kWh packs along with power solutions that scale as large as 148 kWh. Bluefin is currently developing new configurations targeted at specific applications.

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

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Bluefin to Offer SeeByte’s SeeTrack AutoTracker Software for Enhanced AUV Pipeline Inspections

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:06:34 -0500

Quincy, MA, USA—20 December 2012—Bluefin Robotics, the leading provider of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) solutions and SeeByte, the global leader in creating smart software for unmanned maritime systems, have today announced their collaboration to provide enhanced software solutions for deepwater export pipeline inspections. The collaboration is aimed at equipping Bluefin’s 21-inch AUV platforms with SeeTrack AutoTracker. SeeTrack AutoTracker was developed to enable AUVs to perform export pipeline inspections using on-board payload sensors to detect pipelines and automatically adjust the vehicle’s trajectory to optimally track the pipeline.

The combination of Bluefin’s vehicle stability and navigation capabilities along with SeeTrack AutoTracker’s ability to accurately guide the AUV at a pre-defined offset from the pipeline stands to provide an excellent data product for rapid and efficient pipeline inspection. Using SeeByte’s SeeTrack AutoTracker software package on the Bluefin-21 AUV will further expand subsea inspection capabilities and provide valuable information to decision-makers.

“This collaboration enables our customers to save operational costs by using enhanced data acquisition techniques for pipeline inspection.” commented Omer Poroy, Vice President of Business Development at Bluefin Robotics. “Offering SeeByte’s software with our vehicles provides a cost-effective and time-efficient solution to what can regularly be viewed as a complex task.”

“I am pleased to grow our relationship and experience in working with Bluefin Robotics and their vehicles.” said Ioseba Tena, SeeByte’s Sales Manager. “Having worked with Bluefin in the past in conjunction with our SeeTrack Military product, it is encouraging that we are now in a position to integrate SeeTrack AutoTracker with another of their vehicles, to offer customers an over-all solution for pipeline inspection.”

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

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Bluefin Celebrates Fifteen Years of Subsea Innovation

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:20:59 -0400

Quincy, MA, USA—1 November 2012— Bluefin Robotics, a leading provider of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), is celebrating the company’s fifteenth-year anniversary this month. Incorporated on November 21, 1997, Bluefin ‘spun out’ of the AUV Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). From a small group of engineers, Bluefin has grown to over 100 employees.

Bluefin has experienced significant growth in recent years, winning major defense and commercial contracts including SMCM UUV (Surface Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Underwater Vehicle), HULS (Hull Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Localization Systems), and DSOP (Deep Sea Operations) Technology and System Development Program.

“Our success is a direct result of the support of our customers and the dedication of our employees,” said David Kelly, President and CEO of Bluefin. “We have come a long way since our early days in Cambridge, but I am most excited about what the future holds.”

Read the Sea Technology article Bluefin Robotics: 15 Years of Developing Subsea Vehicles

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

Bluefin Robotics designs, manufactures and operates Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) systems and related technology including subsea batteries. Founded in 1997, the company has grown to become a world leader in AUV products designed for defense, commercial, and scientific applications. Bluefin Robotics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Battelle. For more information, please send your inquires to sales@bluefinrobotics.com or visit www.bluefinrobotics.com.

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Earhart Expedition highlighted in Underwater Magazine

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 17:31:49 -0400

Click here to get the full story.

Bluefin Builds Sales Team with New Hire Eric Levitt

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:00:00 -0400

Quincy, MA, USA—12 October 2012— Bluefin Robotics, a leading provider of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), is pleased to announce that Mr. Eric Levitt has joined the company as Sales Director for Commercial and International Markets. His primary focus is to expand Bluefin’s worldwide footprint as an AUV innovator and world-class solutions provider.

“We are excited to have Eric join the team,” said Mr. Omer Poroy, Bluefin’s Vice President of Business Development. “Eric is a key component in executing our strategic plan for growing the business internationally, especially within the commercial oil and gas industry.”

Levitt has over 20 years of sales and marketing experience in both domestic and international markets for subsea technology. Before joining Bluefin, he was Business Development and Sales Manager at General Dynamics C4S Systems for Underwater ISR (Sonar) Solutions. In this role, he developed export markets for Mine Countermeasure (MCM) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) applications. In addition, Levitt has held major business development roles at Sonardyne International and Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace.

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

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University of Victoria goes on Arctic Shipwreck Hunt with Bluefin AUV

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 12:00:00 -0400

Robotic 'shark' to prowl Arctic for lost Franklin ships

CBC News Canada —27 August 2012—The University of Victoria in Canada using their Bluefin-12S AUV to search of Sir John Franklin's sunken vessels in the Arctic. Click here to read the full article by CBC News and don't forget to check out the video.

Hull Inspection Robot Successfully Completes Government Testing

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:00:00 -0400

Quincy, MA, USA—2 August 2012— Bluefin Robotics, a leading provider of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) solutions for US Navy Programs of Record announced today that the HAUV-3, a hovering underwater robot, has completed Government Acceptance Testing as the production system for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Hull Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Localization Systems (HULS). The HAUV-3 is designed to autonomously perform ship hull inspection and obtain 100% sonar coverage—a demanding task typically performed by divers to secure our ports and harbors.

The week prior to the formal Government Acceptance Testing, Bluefin provided training to Fleet personnel. Trainees then operated the HAUV-3 in several in-water operational scenarios as part of the formal testing. The system demonstrated increased operational speeds and nearly twice as much endurance as its predecessor—the prototype HAUV-2. In addition to its standard DIDSON imaging sonar, it is equipped with a camera, which provides vital supplemental visual information to divers tasked with re-locating contacts.

The Navy also conducted a series of environmental tests consisting of freezing, shaking, and baking one of the vehicles and its support equipment. Testing highlighted specific areas for ruggedization in order to optimize the system for very harsh conditions. However, even after the tortuous testing, operators were able to power up all of the vehicle subsystems successfully.

In 2011, Bluefin Robotics was awarded a contract modification from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head to move the system design into production. Since then, Bluefin has delivered one system, which constitutes two vehicles and support equipment. An additional two systems are in production now.

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

Bluefin Robotics designs, manufactures and operates Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) systems and related technology. Founded in 1997, the company has grown to become a world leader in UUV products designed for defense, commercial, and scientific applications. Bluefin Robotics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Battelle. For more information, please call +1-617-715-7000 and ask to speak with a sales engineer, send your inquiry to sales@bluefinrobotics.com or visit www.bluefinrobotics.com.

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AUVSI New England Chapter Established

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:49:41 -0400

Boston, MA (PRWEB) - July 31, 2012 - The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has officially chartered its newest chapter to serve the unmanned systems community in the New England States of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. AUVSI New England Chapter corporate member companies include Boston Engineering, Bluefin Robotics, iRobot, Raytheon, Rolls Royce, SEA Corp, QinetiQ, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and Ultra Electronics Measurements Systems Inc. along with 360 existing AUVSI members currently representing over 131 high technology companies already participating in unmanned air, space, land and sea applications.

Click here to read the full article.

Bluefin Completes Knifefish SMCM UUV Design Review

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:00:00 -0400

Quincy, MA, USA - 13 July 2012 - Bluefin Robotics, a leading provider of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) solutions for US Navy Programs of Record announced today that the company has successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review for Knifefish, the Surface Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (SMCM UUV). In November of 2011, Bluefin announced a subcontract from General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (GDAIS) for the engineering and manufacturing of Knifefish - a specialized Bluefin-21 UUV. A scale model of the design was revealed at the Sea-Air-Space conference in Maryland in April 2012.

"We are pleased with Bluefin's ability to produce innovative designs for Knifefish while successfully meeting cost and schedule targets," said Harry Grant, Director of Sensors and Surveillance Business Area at GDAIS. "Bluefin continues to serve as a key contributor supporting the GDAIS Team in passing this important program milestone."

Knifefish will be a critical part of the Littoral Combat Ship Mine Warfare mission package and will provide the fleet mine warfare commander and sailors with enhanced mine-hunting capability by addressing the Navy's need to reliably detect and identify proud and buried mines in high-clutter environments.

The SMCM UUV System will include two Knifefish UUVs in addition to launch and recovery equipment, a support container, spare parts and support equipment. The UUV will feature Bluefin's field-swappable batteries, a top-of-the-line integrated navigation system, and low-noise propulsion technology. Bluefin's intuitive user software interface, the Operator Tool Suite, will also be provided for mission planning and monitoring. In addition, the vehicle will carry an advanced sonar payload provided by the GDAIS Team.

The subcontract includes an option for the production of up to five low rate initial production systems (ten UUVs) and various other options. Work will be performed in Quincy, Massachusetts.

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

Bluefin Robotics designs, manufactures and operates Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) systems and related technology. Founded in 1997, the company has grown to become a world leader in UUV products designed for defense, commercial, and scientific applications. Bluefin Robotics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Battelle. For more information, please call +1-617-715-7000 and ask to speak with a sales engineer, send your inquiry to sales@bluefinrobotics.com or visit www.bluefinrobotics.com.

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SPECIAL REPORT: UUVs rise to the surface

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 10:00:00 -0400

Military & Areospace Electronics

SPECIAL REPORT: UUVs rise to the surface

July 1, 2012
By Skyler Frink
Assistant Editor

Unmanned underwater vehicles are becoming feasible for a wide variety of applications, from autonomous ship hull inspection to oil and gas exploration, while military leaders are developing UUVs for long-endurance underwater intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

Click Here to read the full article.

Phoenix Purchases Bluefin-21 AUV to Expand Service Offering

Thu, 31 May 2012 09:50:00 -0400

Quincy, MA, USA—31 May 2012—Bluefin Robotics, the leading provider of free-flooded, modular Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and related technologies announced today that the company has sold a Bluefin-21 system to US-based Phoenix International Holdings (Phoenix), an experienced marine services contractor which provides underwater engineering and operational solutions, including deep ocean search and recovery operations, to customers around the globe. Among many other successes, Phoenix is accredited with recovering both flight recorders from Air France 447.

Bluefin will deliver an off-the-shelf 1,500-meter depth-rated Bluefin-21 AUV system to meet several immediate requirements, and upgrade the system to a depth rating of 4,500-meters during its next availability—a testament to the system’s design flexibility and modularity. The system boasts Bluefin’s field-swappable batteries, a top-tier integrated inertial navigation solution with Doppler and acoustic baseline aiding, and a state-of-the-art survey payload suite including side scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler, multibeam echosounder and a digital camera. Bluefin’s intuitive user software interface, the Operator Tool Suite, will also be provided for mission planning, mission monitoring and post-mission analysis.

Military and Aerospace Report - JUNE 4

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;h5&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;strong&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/strong&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/h5&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Bluefin Robotics designs, manufactures and operates Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) systems and related technology. Founded in 1997, the company has grown to become a world leader in AUV products designed for defense, commercial, and scientific applications. Bluefin Robotics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Battelle. For more information, please send your inquires to &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="mailto:sales@bluefinrobotics.com" mce_href="mailto:sales@bluefinrobotics.com"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;sales@bluefinrobotics.com&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; or visit &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.bluefinrobotics.com" mce_href="http://www.bluefinrobotics.com"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;www.bluefinrobotics.com&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;h5&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;strong&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;ABOUT PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/strong&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/h5&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Phoenix provides manned and unmanned underwater operations, design engineering, and project management services to clients in the defense, offshore oil &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; gas and other ocean-interest industries worldwide. Expertise is available from six regional offices in the areas of wet and dry hyperbaric welding, conventional and atmospheric diving, and robotic systems and tooling. Our capabilities are directed to underwater inspection, maintenance and repair; construction; subsea tieback; submarine rescue; deep ocean search &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; recovery; and archaeological and documentary projects. For further information: Please contact Tim Janaitis (tjanaitis@phnx-international.com) Tel: 301.341.7800; Fax: 301.499.0027, or view our web site: &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.phnx-international.com" mce_href="http://www.phnx-international.com"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;www.phnx-international.com&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p align="center"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;# # #&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

ABOUT PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL

Phoenix provides manned and unmanned underwater operations, design engineering, and project management services to clients in the defense, offshore oil & gas and other ocean-interest industries worldwide. Expertise is available from six regional offices in the areas of wet and dry hyperbaric welding, conventional and atmospheric diving, and robotic systems and tooling. Our capabilities are directed to underwater inspection, maintenance and repair; construction; subsea tieback; submarine rescue; deep ocean search & recovery; and archaeological and documentary projects. For further information: Please contact Tim Janaitis (tjanaitis@phnx-international.com) Tel: 301.341.7800; Fax: 301.499.0027, or view our web site: www.phnx-international.com.

# # #

Bluefin Offers SeeByte SeeTrack Plug-In on AUVs

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:27:25 -0400

Quincy, MA, USA— 24 May 2012— Bluefin Robotics, the leading provider of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) solutions for US Navy Programs of Record and SeeByte, the global leader in creating smart software technology for unmanned systems, announced today that Bluefin AUVs will be compatible with SeeByte’s SeeTrack Military software by means of proving a Bluefin-specific software plug-in.

Bluefin and SeeByte successfully delivered the software plug-in under a Naval Sea Systems Command contract for a variant of the Bluefin-9 AUV. The company is making the capability available so that current and future users of Bluefin AUVs may leverage SeeByte’s smart solutions and additional modules. Bluefin’s Operator Tool Suite, which includes mission planning, mission monitoring and post-missions analysis modules, interacts seamlessly with the SeeTrack Military software giving users the option to plan missions and analyze payload data in either platform depending on their specific needs. Bluefin AUV users can now take advantage of the extra features available for SeeTrack Military such as Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) and Performance Analysis and Training Tool (PATT) which are extensively used for Mine Countermeasures (MCM) around the globe.

“We are pleased to take solutions developed through previous SeeByte and Bluefin collaborations to market,” stated Omer Poroy, Vice President of Business Development at Bluefin Robotics. “This is a simple first step that will provide great benefits and flexibility to both our combined customer base and the industry at large.”

Ioseba Tena, Sales Manager at SeeByte added, “I am pleased that Bluefin has chosen to make this plug-in available. It is encouraging to have this sort of endorsement from a leading and renowned AUV manufacturer. Our customers will benefit from using plug-ins that have been created and are maintained by the AUV manufacturer.”

Designed to provide a higher level of awareness, accuracy and confidence, SeeTrack Military is used by 14 navies worldwide and provides users the ability to view their operating environment in a single, integrated picture while saving time, money and valuable man-hours on MCM operations.

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

Bluefin Robotics designs, manufactures and operates Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) systems and related technology. Founded in 1997, the company has grown to become a world leader in AUV products designed for defense, commercial, and scientific applications. Bluefin Robotics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Battelle. For more information, please call +1-617-715-7000 and ask to speak with a sales engineer, send your inquiry to sales@bluefinrobotics.com or visit www.bluefinrobotics.com.

ABOUT SEEBYTE

Founded in Edinburgh, Scotland, SeeByte has been creating the most advanced awareness control systems for the latest generation of unmanned systems, including autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles since 2001. These technologies have been successfully integrated into a multitude of solutions for the military & security and offshore & subsea sectors. For more information, contact Ioseba Tena, Sales Manager, at +44 (0) 131 447 4200 or ioseba.tena@seebyte.com or visit www.seebyte.com.

# # #

South Shore Insider: David Kelly, CEO of Bluefin Robotics

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:18:12 -0400

Quincy, MA, USA - 14 May 2012 - Bluefin Robotics makes underwater robots that can map the ocean floor, search for shipwrecks, and protect military vessels from hidden mines. But before they can go out in the field, Bluefin’s autonomous robots are tested at the former Fore River Shipyard.

The MIT spinoff moved to Quincy in the fall of 2010, merging its Cambridge and East Boston operations into a 55,000-square-foot warehouse space at the shipyard. David Kelly, Bluefin’s CEO, said the move allowed the company to consolidate all aspects of its business in one place, including vehicle design, manufacturing and sea testing. Bluefin’s staff has grown from roughly 70 people to about 90 since the move.

Kelly, 51, came to the company in 2008 from Battelle, Bluefin’s nonprofit corporate parent. The Scituate resident had run Battelle’s external information technology business from its Columbus, Ohio, headquarters.

Bluefin Announces Smith as New Chief Operating Officer

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:54:10 -0400

Quincy, MA, USA - 25 April 2012 - Bluefin Robotics, a leader in the deisgn and manufacturing of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) is pleased to annouce that company has names Mr. jeffrey M. Smith as its Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Smith joined Bluefin in May of 2008 as the Director of Programs. He is a Mechanical Engineer by training and spent 15 years with General Dynamics prior to joining Bluefin. In Smith's most recent role as the Director of Programs at Bluefin, he established a program management organization within Bluefin to effectively manage the growing complexity of government and commercial contracts. He also implemented the process framework for program management necessary to support Bluefin's recent ISO 9001:2008 Certification for the design, development, manufacturing, operation, and servicing of their Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and related products. His primary focus at Bluefin will be to continue to lead the company's capture efforts for large development programs and maintain growth in the defense sector.

"Jeff's track record of capturing and executing contracts assurs me his new role as Chief Operating Officer will prove fruitful," said David P. Kelly, President and CEO of Bluefin. "I look forward to having Jeff play a significant part in shaping the future of this company."

ABOUT BLUEFIN ROBOTICS

Bluefin Robotics manufactures and develops Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) systems and related technology. Founded in 1997, the company has grown to become a world leader in AUV products designed for defense, commercial, and scientific applications. Bluefin Robotics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Battelle. For more information, please visit www.bluefinrobotics.com.