Sea trial test of RIB-type unmanned surface vessel for ensuring seaworthiness of on-board electronic equipments

Abstract

The sea trial tests for a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) type USV (Unmanned Surface Vessel) are carried out to investigate whether the on-board electronic equipments operate properly under the rough circumstance which is induced by the high speed cruise. The experimental USV which we have constructed has the typical properties of the conventional high-speed boat of US Coast Guard, and its length is 7.0 meters, the cruise speed is 25-32 knots, and the goal maximum speed is 40 knots. Complication and toughness of the operational circumstances require the sea trial test because it may cause the failure of the electronic devices demanded to be mounted on USV, even though we have adapted the certified COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) for the high-speed boat or the devices authorized from industrial standard. Throughout the sea trial test, we investigate the acceleration load which the vessel undergoes for 6 test scenarios with changing the initial heading, and then suggest the peak acceleration and the mean duration time for the given speed so as to make a decision to select the suitable electronic devices.