Maritime UAV Operations
UAVLAS precision positioning systems enable reliable autonomous UAV operations on ships, offshore platforms, and maritime environments where GPS alone is insufficient. Our proven maritime systems deliver centimeter-level accuracy despite vessel motion, weather challenges, and GPS limitations.
Maritime Challenges
- Moving platforms - Ship deck motion in all six degrees of freedom
- GPS limitations - Reduced accuracy, signal blockage from ship structures
- Weather conditions - Wind, rain, spray, fog affecting operations
- Safety critical - High consequences of landing errors at sea
- Space constraints - Limited deck space for operations
UAVLAS Maritime Solution
- Motion compensation - Accurate positioning despite vessel movement
- GPS-independent - Reliable when satellite positioning fails
- All-weather operation - Functions in maritime environmental conditions
- Proven at sea - 100+ systems deployed in maritime operations
- Precision landing - <5cm horizontal, <10cm vertical at 1m (linear scaling) for safe ship deck operations
Applications
Ship Deck Landing
Naval Operations:
- Helicopter precision landing on moving vessels
- Fixed-wing UAV recovery on ships
- Multi-rotor surveillance drone operations
- Tactical reconnaissance platforms
Commercial Shipping:
- Cargo vessel inspection drones
- Ship-to-ship transfer operations
- Maritime security surveillance
- Environmental monitoring
Benefits:
- Reduced weather minimums for operations
- Increased operational safety margins
- Higher operational tempo capability
- Lower pilot/operator workload
Offshore Platforms
Oil & Gas:
- Platform inspection and monitoring
- Equipment surveillance drones
- Emergency response capability
- Personnel and cargo delivery
Wind Energy:
- Turbine inspection operations
- Offshore wind farm monitoring
- Maintenance support drones
- Environmental surveys
Benefits:
- Safer than manned helicopter operations
- Cost-effective inspection capability
- Rapid deployment for emergencies
- Reduced environmental impact
Search and Rescue
Maritime SAR:
- Helicopter operations in poor conditions
- Extended range search capability
- Survivor location and monitoring
- Supply delivery to vessels in distress
Coastal Operations:
- Beach rescue support
- Cliff rescue operations
- Water rescue coordination
- Marine wildlife rescue
Benefits:
- Enhanced safety for rescue personnel
- Faster response times
- Better situational awareness
- All-weather capability
Research Vessels
Scientific Research:
- Oceanographic survey operations
- Marine life monitoring
- Environmental data collection
- Ice reconnaissance
Exploration:
- Geological survey support
- Remote area access
- Sample collection operations
- Documentation and imaging
Benefits:
- Extended research capability
- Safer operations in remote areas
- Cost-effective data collection
- Minimal environmental disturbance
Recommended Products
ULS-Heli-G2
Primary Maritime System
- 50-meter operating range
- Sub-5cm accuracy
- Maritime proven in production
- Master/slave redundancy option
- Heavy-lift capable
Ideal For:
- Helicopters and large UAVs
- Naval vessel operations
- Offshore platforms
- Critical maritime missions
ULS-XCopter-G2
Multi-Rotor Maritime
- 50-meter range
- Sub-5cm accuracy
- Production proven
- Multi-rotor optimized
- All-weather capable
Ideal For:
- Inspection drones
- Surveillance platforms
- Light cargo delivery
- Tactical operations
ULS-AGLS (Development)
Active Grip Landing System
- Bidirectional catapult
- No landing gear required
- Space-constrained operations
- Active capture mechanism
- Maritime optimized
Ideal For:
- Confined deck spaces
- Fixed-wing UAV recovery
- Weight-critical platforms
- Automated operations
Technical Advantages
Motion Compensation
Vessel Movement Handling:
- Tracks platform motion in real-time
- Compensates for pitch, roll, yaw
- Accounts for heave (vertical motion)
- Maintains accuracy despite movement
Sea State Performance:
- Validated in various sea conditions
- Works in rough seas
- Maintains precision in motion
- Reliable in challenging conditions
Environmental Reliability
Marine Environment:
- Salt spray resistant
- Humidity tolerant (0-100%)
- Temperature range: -40°C to +85°C
- IP-rated weather protection
All-Weather Operation:
- Rain and fog capability
- Wind resistance
- Day and night operation
- No degradation in conditions
GPS-Independent
Advantages at Sea:
- Works when GPS blocked by ship structure
- Reliable in GPS-denied areas
- Immune to GPS jamming
- Complement to satellite navigation
Precision Enhancement:
- 100x better accuracy than GPS
- Centimeter-level positioning
- Real-time 20Hz updates
- Suitable for automated landing
Deployment Considerations
Installation Planning
Ground Beacon Placement:
- Deck location selection
- Mounting considerations
- Power supply requirements
- Weather protection
Coverage Area:
- Operating range requirements
- Approach corridor design
- Multiple landing zones
- Helipad or platform size
Integration
Vessel Systems:
- Power distribution
- Communications networks
- Ship motion reference
- Navigation systems
Aircraft Systems:
- Autopilot integration
- Receiver mounting
- Power connections
- Data interfaces
Operations
Procedures:
- Normal approach and landing
- Emergency procedures
- Weather limitations
- Maintenance requirements
Training:
- Pilot/operator training
- Deck crew coordination
- System operation
- Troubleshooting
Case Studies
Naval Helicopter Operations
Challenge: Helicopter landing on frigate deck in rough seas Solution: ULS-Heli-G2 with motion compensation Results:
- 40% increase in operational availability
- Reduced approach time by 30%
- Enhanced safety margins
- All-weather capability
Offshore Wind Farm
Challenge: Turbine inspection in North Sea conditions Solution: ULS-XCopter-G2 on service vessel Results:
- Safe operations in challenging weather
- Reduced inspection costs by 60%
- Faster inspection cycles
- Improved safety record
Maritime Research
Challenge: Oceanographic survey in remote Arctic Solution: ULS-XCopter-G2 on research vessel Results:
- Extended survey capability
- Safe operations in ice conditions
- Precise sample location
- Cost-effective data collection
Getting Started
Consultation Process
- Requirements Analysis - Discuss your maritime operation
- Vessel Assessment - Evaluate installation requirements
- System Design - Configure optimal solution
- Installation Planning - Prepare deployment schedule
- Integration - Install and integrate systems
- Training - Crew and operator training
- Operational Validation - At-sea testing and optimization
Support Services
- Site Survey - Pre-installation assessment
- Installation Support - On-site technical assistance
- Crew Training - Operational and maintenance training
- Sea Trials - Performance validation
- Ongoing Support - Technical assistance and spare parts
Ready to deploy maritime precision positioning? Contact us to discuss your ship-based or offshore platform requirements.
Related Solutions: Military Operations | Emergency Services