The Original Four
It all began in 1986, when Robert Murphy’s idea for a USV became a reality and three years later was enshrined in US Patent Number 4,862,817. Later he would meet these men and expand his legacy to what it is today, with the original 4.
Handling Systems
This handling system deploys, retrieves. lifts, and stows small craft, cargo and personnel during underway operations where automation is the key to successful deployments.
This is a winch-based, tethered, floating launch, recovery, and refueling system, which is sutiable for deploying marine craft at speed. An International Patent for the MHS with 32 claims was granted in January 2009.
Under water missions
In March 1980, Popular Mechanics featured the Perry Submersible PC 1803 as part of an exploring the deep frontiers segment. Murphy’s contribution to this vessel design is a hydrodynamic laminar flow fairing, which include battery pods, thruster housings, and flotation modules.
Stealth
The Eclipse unmanned surveillance vessels are invisible to radar, can operate 24 hours a day, travel at 60 MPH and can be outfitted for any mission. Incorporating technology that allows it to undertake surveillance or search and rescue without requiring a crew.
Newest Technology
The Hydra is the newest of the generations and it can be versatile and function commercially, militarily, and educationally, an example of this is remote sensing. The craft can be equipped with multiple sensor to collect data for scientists and alike to sample aquatic spaces that are important to aquatic life and human activity.
It is an autonomous and/or remotely controlled facility where sampling, testing and measurements can be conducted and modified for research and experimentation. The robotic laboratory is programmed to “make its own decisions” and modify what it does while working under way. This is what makes the platform “smart”. The Lab can’t replace a scientist but makes their work much easier.
Future Models
The future is now.
Helicopter and Aircraft Carriers
New concepts consist of a range of Eclipse line drone boats, they boast twin 1,000 hp diesel waterjet engines and a wide array of top-secret surveillance kits and weaponry for covert and dangerous missions.