Launch and recovery systems for AUV and UUV over the stern or over the side. Stern-ramp light, stern-ramp heavy-duty, davit-type and vehicle-mounted configurations, selected by vehicle diameter, vehicle length and available freeboard.
The AUV/UUV LARS range covers safe launch and recovery of light and heavy autonomous and uncrewed underwater vehicles, over the stern and over the side. Four configurations are available, selected by vehicle size and by the deck and freeboard the vessel can offer.
The two stern-ramp systems are hydraulically driven and run the vehicle over a ramp at the stern: the light version handles vehicles of 600–700 mm diameter and about 6000 mm length, the heavy-duty version handles 1000–1200 mm diameter and about 5000 mm length. Both are matched to a freeboard height of roughly 3.5 m.
The davit-type system is hydraulically driven and works over the side, and is configured for three vehicle sizes from 600 mm to 1000 mm diameter and 6000–8000 mm length, at freeboard heights of about 4 m. The vehicle-mounted system combines a hydraulic davit with an electric variable frequency winch and adds a dedicated anti-sway unit with constant-tension control, for vehicles of about 320 mm diameter and 6000 mm length.
Drum capacity, cable type, ramp geometry and control interface are configured per vessel.
| Item | Stern-ramp light | Stern-ramp heavy-duty | Davit-type | Vehicle-mounted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Over the stern, ramp | Over the stern, ramp | Over the side, davit | Over the side, davit |
| Drive | Hydraulic | Hydraulic | Hydraulic | Davit hydraulic; winch electric variable frequency |
| Vehicle diameter | 600–700 mm | 1000–1200 mm | 600–1000 mm, three vehicle sizes | ~320 mm |
| Vehicle length | ~6000 mm | ~5000 mm | 6000–8000 mm | ~6000 mm |
| Applicable freeboard height | ~3.5 m | ~3.5 m | ~4 m | ~4 m |
| Anti-sway and tension control | — | — | — | Dedicated anti-sway unit, constant-tension control |