Marines ask Greensea Systems to develop uncrewed surf zone crawler for mine countermeasures on the beach

Questions and answers:

• What is the purpose of the Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicle (AUGV)? It is designed for detecting and neutralizing mines and explosives on invasion beaches, specifically for military use during amphibious operations.
• What are the different sizes of the Bayonet series AUGVs, and what are they for? They come in three sizes: the 150 (small payloads and light conditions), the 250 (harsh conditions and heavier payloads), and the 350 (heaviest payloads and most severe conditions), each designed to operate in the surf zone for mine countermeasures.
• How long can the Bayonet AUGV stay in operation, and what are its primary functions? AUGVs can remain operational for as long as 100 days in long-term station-keeping mode. They are for mine detection, environmental monitoring, and other missions in hazardous or hard-to-reach areas.

QUANTICO MARINE BASE, Va. – U.S. Marine Corps land warfare experts needed a amphibious uncrewed ground vehicle for detecting and neutralizing mines and other kinds of explosives on invasion beaches. They found a solution from Greensea Systems Inc. in Richmond, Vt.

Officials of the Marine Corps Systems Command at Quantico Marine Base, Va., announced a $10 million contract to Greensea in August for the Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicle (AUGV), as part of the Littoral Explosive Ordnance Neutralization Family of Systems.

The Marine Corps AUGV is to be based on the Greensea Bayonet series AUGV, which comes in three different sizes with the models 150, 250, and 350. Each size has a different payload capacity and endurance, and is designed to operate in the beach surf zone.

Bayonet series AUGVs

The Bayonet series AUGVs consists of the two-person portable 150 for small payloads and light weather and surf conditions, the 250 for harsh conditions and extensive payload requirements, and the 350 for the heaviest payloads and harshest conditions.

The Bayonet AUGV is a surf zone crawler with a low profile and high stability to penetrate the surf zone of 60-foot wave heights. Its power system provides for long-term station-keeping of 100 days.

It's standard range is 10 miles submerged and 24 miles dry; a 1.5-knot speed, and high sounding density. The Bayonet series offers three single-operator modes are available: autonomous, tethered, or RF link buoy.

Tell me more about amphibious uncrewed ground vehicles ...

• Amphibious uncrewed ground vehicles (AUGVs) are autonomous or remotely operated robots capable of operating on land and in shallow water or surf zones. They are designed for applications like waterborne sensing, military reconnaissance, coastal surveys, and transporting payloads in challenging terrains, including soft soils and mud. AUGVs operate effectively in very shallow water and coastal surf zones, navigating different substrates and environmental conditions such as waves and currents. They can be used for mine countermeasures, explosives detection and disposal, bathymetric surveys, and coastal research.

The Bayonet 150 measures 44 by 36 by 10 inches, weighs 290 pounds, has a battery life of 6 hours, and has a deck capacity of 50 pounds. The Bayonet 250 AUGV measures 48 by 48 by 15 inches, weighs 390 pounds, and has a deck capacity of 200 pounds. The Bayonett 350 measures 72 by 60 by 18 inches, weighs 600 pounds, and has a deck capacity of 300 pounds.

These AUGVs are for mine countermeasures, and are designed to detect, identify, and neutralize naval mines and other explosive hazards in surf and beach zones. They also can conduct environmental monitoring in shallow waters, as well as other missions that are otherwise dangerous or difficult for human operators.

On this contract Greensea will do the work in Richmond, Vt., and should be finished by August 2030. For more information contact Greensea Systems online at https://greenseaiq.com/products/integrated-systems/bayonet-surf-zone-robotics, or Marine Corps Systems Command at www.marcorsyscom.marines.mil.