Japan keeping an eye on China's naval development

The Varyag returns to port in Dalian after its eighth sea trial. (Photo/CNS)

The rise of China as a military power is a key point of concern in Japan's media as the issue of the disputed Diaoyu or Senkaku islands in the East China Sea continues to return to threaten ties between the two, reports Duowei News, an outlet run by overseas Chinese.
Kazuhiko Togo, a retired Japanese diplomat, said on July 4 that war between China and Japan is likely to happen sooner or later, leading to a series of related articles in Japanese media outlets on the modernization and development of the People's Liberation Army.
A detailed report on the Chinese navy was recently published by Ships of the World, a Japanese magazine, which discussed the Varyag, China's first aircraft carrier, as well as the number and specifications of other vessels in the Chinese fleet.
From the Chinese side, the attention brings comparisons with the first Sino-Japanese war from 1894-5, a clash between two relatively new naval powers.

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Japan Agrees to F-35 Buy Despite Price Increase

TOKYO — Japan will buy four U.S.-made F-35 stealth jets despite a sharply higher price tag, it said June 29, in Tokyo’s first confirmed order for the next-generation aircraft that has been plagued by delays.
An official from the defense ministry said Japan would now pay 9.6 billion yen ($120 million) per aircraft, up from the $110 million originally earmarked.
He added U.S. officials had said the price rise was unavoidable and Tokyo accepted the situation.
“We learned that the reason for the price hike is because the United States decided to postpone its domestic procurement of 179 aircraft in the next five years due to its tight budget,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“We accepted it as it is understandable. It would be hard for them to offer a lower price only to Japan, given that the jet was co-developed by nine countries,” he said.
The defense ministry last year picked the Lockheed Martin jet to replace its ageing fleet of F-4s over the rival Boeing-made F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Eurofighter Typhoon, despite a series of technical setbacks.
The F-35, co-developed with British defense giant BAE Systems, was the most expensive among the three candidates.
In February, Japan’s then defense minister Naoki Tanaka threatened to cancel the whole $4.7 billion, 42-jet order amid continued cost and time slippages.
On June 29, Tokyo signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for four fighter jets at $120 million each, along with two simulators and other accessories for a total cost of 60 billion yen.
The planned purchase of the other 38 jets has yet to be formally confirmed.
The F-35 is the most expensive weapons program in Pentagon history and has been plagued by cost overruns and technical delays.
Last year a leaked memo revealed an array of problems exposed by flight tests, including with the landing gear and issues over airframe fatigue and vibration.
The United States touts the F-35 as a technological wonder that will slip past enemy radar and allow allied forces to keep operating in the skies alongside U.S. warplanes.
But the program’s costs have skyrocketed just as governments around the world are facing severe budget pressures and austerity measures.
Italy has reduced its planned purchase from 131 to 90 aircraft and lawmakers in the Netherlands voted to limit their order to two, while an initial plan for 138 aircraft in Britain has been dropped without a firm number announced.

Source :http://www.defensenews.com

Japan Agrees to F-35 Buy Despite Price Increase

TOKYO — Japan will buy four U.S.-made F-35 stealth jets despite a sharply higher price tag, it said June 29, in Tokyo’s first confirmed order for the next-generation aircraft that has been plagued by delays.
An official from the defense ministry said Japan would now pay 9.6 billion yen ($120 million) per aircraft, up from the $110 million originally earmarked.
He added U.S. officials had said the price rise was unavoidable and Tokyo accepted the situation.
“We learned that the reason for the price hike is because the United States decided to postpone its domestic procurement of 179 aircraft in the next five years due to its tight budget,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“We accepted it as it is understandable. It would be hard for them to offer a lower price only to Japan, given that the jet was co-developed by nine countries,” he said.
The defense ministry last year picked the Lockheed Martin jet to replace its ageing fleet of F-4s over the rival Boeing-made F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Eurofighter Typhoon, despite a series of technical setbacks.
The F-35, co-developed with British defense giant BAE Systems, was the most expensive among the three candidates.
In February, Japan’s then defense minister Naoki Tanaka threatened to cancel the whole $4.7 billion, 42-jet order amid continued cost and time slippages.
On June 29, Tokyo signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for four fighter jets at $120 million each, along with two simulators and other accessories for a total cost of 60 billion yen.
The planned purchase of the other 38 jets has yet to be formally confirmed.
The F-35 is the most expensive weapons program in Pentagon history and has been plagued by cost overruns and technical delays.
Last year a leaked memo revealed an array of problems exposed by flight tests, including with the landing gear and issues over airframe fatigue and vibration.
The United States touts the F-35 as a technological wonder that will slip past enemy radar and allow allied forces to keep operating in the skies alongside U.S. warplanes.
But the program’s costs have skyrocketed just as governments around the world are facing severe budget pressures and austerity measures.
Italy has reduced its planned purchase from 131 to 90 aircraft and lawmakers in the Netherlands voted to limit their order to two, while an initial plan for 138 aircraft in Britain has been dropped without a firm number announced.

Source :http://www.defensenews.com

S. Korea, Japan To Sign First Military Accord

SEOUL — South Korea will soon sign a military agreement with Japan, officials said June 27, in what would be the first such pact since Tokyo’s colonial rule ended in 1945.
The pact calls for sharing intelligence about North Korea and its nuclear and missile programs, among other topics, the Yonhap news agency said, citing an unnamed foreign ministry source.
It said the North’s long-range missile launch in April and its other military threats had highlighted the need to swap information.
A Seoul foreign ministry spokesman told AFP the agreement covers the “protection of classified information” and would be signed as soon as the two countries complete domestic procedures.
Citing lingering anti-Japan hostility, South Korea last month suspended the signing of the agreement, and of another military accord on sharing logistics and cooperation in peacekeeping.
Seoul decided to go ahead with the intelligence agreement while shelving the more sensitive logistics accord, which could allow Japan’s troops to enter the South’s territory in times of crisis, Yonhap said.
“The two governments will officially sign the deal as early as this week, or sometime next week at the latest,” it quoted a government source as saying, adding that Seoul’s cabinet approved the move June 26.
A Japanese foreign ministry official in Tokyo said the intention was to sign it “at the earliest possible time.”
Many older Koreans have bitter memories of Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule, and historical disputes still mar the relationship.
The two countries wrangle over ownership of rocky islets in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). And Tokyo has rejected talks on compensating Korean women used by Japan as military sex slaves during World War II.
But South Korea needs the pact “because we have to use Japan’s intelligence assets, including its spy satellites and high-end surveillance aircraft,” said the South Korean official quoted by Yonhap.
“It is an undeniable fact that the existence of Japan is important for our national security,” the official said, citing the presence of U.S. forces in Japan, as well as in South Korea.
The military intelligence pact is also needed to cope with China’s rise, the official told Yonhap.

Source :

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

S. Korea, Japan To Sign First Military Accord

SEOUL — South Korea will soon sign a military agreement with Japan, officials said June 27, in what would be the first such pact since Tokyo’s colonial rule ended in 1945.
The pact calls for sharing intelligence about North Korea and its nuclear and missile programs, among other topics, the Yonhap news agency said, citing an unnamed foreign ministry source.
It said the North’s long-range missile launch in April and its other military threats had highlighted the need to swap information.
A Seoul foreign ministry spokesman told AFP the agreement covers the “protection of classified information” and would be signed as soon as the two countries complete domestic procedures.
Citing lingering anti-Japan hostility, South Korea last month suspended the signing of the agreement, and of another military accord on sharing logistics and cooperation in peacekeeping.
Seoul decided to go ahead with the intelligence agreement while shelving the more sensitive logistics accord, which could allow Japan’s troops to enter the South’s territory in times of crisis, Yonhap said.
“The two governments will officially sign the deal as early as this week, or sometime next week at the latest,” it quoted a government source as saying, adding that Seoul’s cabinet approved the move June 26.
A Japanese foreign ministry official in Tokyo said the intention was to sign it “at the earliest possible time.”
Many older Koreans have bitter memories of Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule, and historical disputes still mar the relationship.
The two countries wrangle over ownership of rocky islets in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). And Tokyo has rejected talks on compensating Korean women used by Japan as military sex slaves during World War II.
But South Korea needs the pact “because we have to use Japan’s intelligence assets, including its spy satellites and high-end surveillance aircraft,” said the South Korean official quoted by Yonhap.
“It is an undeniable fact that the existence of Japan is important for our national security,” the official said, citing the presence of U.S. forces in Japan, as well as in South Korea.
The military intelligence pact is also needed to cope with China’s rise, the official told Yonhap.

Source :

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Japan’s Military Chief to Visit Russia

The Chief of Joint Staff of Japan Self Defense Force General Shigeru Iwasaki will pay a working visit to Russia on June 26-28, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

“The agenda of the visit includes talks with the chief of Russia's Armed Forces General Staff, Gen. Nikolai Makarov,” the ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The sides are expected to discuss bilateral military cooperation, security in the Asia-Pacific region and other issues of mutual interest.
The Japanese military delegation will visit a motorized infantry brigade in Alabino and a military pilot training center in Kubinka, both in the Moscow region.
Curiously enough, Russia and Japan have yet to sign a formal peace treaty ending World War II hostilities, due to the dispute over the four South Kuril Islands, former Japanese territory annexed by the Soviet Union at the end of the war.
The territorial dispute over the islands, which Japan calls the Northern Territories, has clouded relations between Moscow and Tokyo for decades.

Source :http://en.rian.ru

Japan’s Military Chief to Visit Russia

The Chief of Joint Staff of Japan Self Defense Force General Shigeru Iwasaki will pay a working visit to Russia on June 26-28, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

“The agenda of the visit includes talks with the chief of Russia's Armed Forces General Staff, Gen. Nikolai Makarov,” the ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The sides are expected to discuss bilateral military cooperation, security in the Asia-Pacific region and other issues of mutual interest.
The Japanese military delegation will visit a motorized infantry brigade in Alabino and a military pilot training center in Kubinka, both in the Moscow region.
Curiously enough, Russia and Japan have yet to sign a formal peace treaty ending World War II hostilities, due to the dispute over the four South Kuril Islands, former Japanese territory annexed by the Soviet Union at the end of the war.
The territorial dispute over the islands, which Japan calls the Northern Territories, has clouded relations between Moscow and Tokyo for decades.

Source :http://en.rian.ru

Japan buys another Hyrdoid AUV system

disclaimer: image is for illustration purposes only

Japan's Ministry of Defense has bought another Hydroid Remus autonomous underwater vehicle system for mine countermeasure operations.

The purchase of the Remus 600 brings the ministry's Hydroid AUV fleet to five vehicles, a statement from Hydroid's parent company Kongsberg Maritime said.

Christopher von Alt, president and co-founder of Hydroid, welcomed the contract.

"The Remus 600 is ideally suited for this application, as, when fully configured, its exceptional endurance allows it to operate underwater for long periods in varying depths of water," he said.

SEA Corp., Hydroid's representative in Japan, negotiated the Ministry of Defense contract.

Earlier this year the Japanese Defense Ministry purchased four Remus 100 systems for investigating and mapping seafloor dispersion of contaminants as well as mine countermeasure operations.

The Remus 100, weighing around 80 pounds, operates in coastal waters up to 100 meters -- 330 feet -- and also is used by the U.S. Navy, Hydroid says on its Web site.

Because is it suited to shallow waters, the 100 often is used for survey, security and clearance operations in harbors and also for fisheries work and scientific sampling.

The 600 version, designed with funding from the U.S. Office of Naval Research, is an endurance version of the 100 AUV and has an operating depth of 600 meters -- nearly 2,000 feet.

Hydroid also makes 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter versions.

The 600 is suited specifically to mine detection work including locating explosive devices and other undetonated ordnances as well as finding and classifying submerged objects.

Operating time for the 600 is up to 70 hours.

All Hydroid's AUV models have modular hull construction allowing them to be disassembled for reconfiguration, maintenance or shipping.

Hydroid's parent company, Kongsberg Maritime has an office in Houston and its headquarters in Kongsberg, Norway.

Kongsberg Maritime products include joystick systems, marine automation and information systems, navigational aids, propulsion control systems and tank gauging systems.

Hydroid was set up in 2001 specifically to manufacture, support and develop the Remus AUV systems originally developed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

At the time of Kongsberg's acquisition announcement of Hydroid in December 2007, the business had estimated sales of around $20 million.

Kongsberg paid around $80 million on a debt-free basis for Hydroid which is headquartered in Pocasset, Massachusetts, Kongsberg says on its Web site.

The Hydroid deal was done through Kongsberg's subsidiary Simrad North America, a manufacturer of underwater sonar and sound systems for fisheries and research.

Kongsberg said at the time that Hydroid's REMUS vehicles would complement Kongsberg Maritime's HUGIN AUV activity that began in 1995 as a joint project with the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment called FFI and StatoilHydro.

Source :http://www.spacewar.com

Japan buys another Hyrdoid AUV system

disclaimer: image is for illustration purposes only

Japan's Ministry of Defense has bought another Hydroid Remus autonomous underwater vehicle system for mine countermeasure operations.

The purchase of the Remus 600 brings the ministry's Hydroid AUV fleet to five vehicles, a statement from Hydroid's parent company Kongsberg Maritime said.

Christopher von Alt, president and co-founder of Hydroid, welcomed the contract.

"The Remus 600 is ideally suited for this application, as, when fully configured, its exceptional endurance allows it to operate underwater for long periods in varying depths of water," he said.

SEA Corp., Hydroid's representative in Japan, negotiated the Ministry of Defense contract.

Earlier this year the Japanese Defense Ministry purchased four Remus 100 systems for investigating and mapping seafloor dispersion of contaminants as well as mine countermeasure operations.

The Remus 100, weighing around 80 pounds, operates in coastal waters up to 100 meters -- 330 feet -- and also is used by the U.S. Navy, Hydroid says on its Web site.

Because is it suited to shallow waters, the 100 often is used for survey, security and clearance operations in harbors and also for fisheries work and scientific sampling.

The 600 version, designed with funding from the U.S. Office of Naval Research, is an endurance version of the 100 AUV and has an operating depth of 600 meters -- nearly 2,000 feet.

Hydroid also makes 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter versions.

The 600 is suited specifically to mine detection work including locating explosive devices and other undetonated ordnances as well as finding and classifying submerged objects.

Operating time for the 600 is up to 70 hours.

All Hydroid's AUV models have modular hull construction allowing them to be disassembled for reconfiguration, maintenance or shipping.

Hydroid's parent company, Kongsberg Maritime has an office in Houston and its headquarters in Kongsberg, Norway.

Kongsberg Maritime products include joystick systems, marine automation and information systems, navigational aids, propulsion control systems and tank gauging systems.

Hydroid was set up in 2001 specifically to manufacture, support and develop the Remus AUV systems originally developed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

At the time of Kongsberg's acquisition announcement of Hydroid in December 2007, the business had estimated sales of around $20 million.

Kongsberg paid around $80 million on a debt-free basis for Hydroid which is headquartered in Pocasset, Massachusetts, Kongsberg says on its Web site.

The Hydroid deal was done through Kongsberg's subsidiary Simrad North America, a manufacturer of underwater sonar and sound systems for fisheries and research.

Kongsberg said at the time that Hydroid's REMUS vehicles would complement Kongsberg Maritime's HUGIN AUV activity that began in 1995 as a joint project with the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment called FFI and StatoilHydro.

Source :http://www.spacewar.com

US, Japan, South Korea to hold joint drill; China objects

The exercise will be led by the USS George Washington, pictured near Busan, South Korea in 2010. (Photo/Xinhua)

The United States, Japan and South Korea will conduct an unprecedented joint drill in the waters south of the Korean peninsula on June 21-22, prompting objection from China, which announced later that it will hold a naval drill in the western Pacific, reports our sister newspaper China Times.

It is the first time the three nations have held a joint exercise together, with the US shifting its strategic emphasis to the Asia-Pacific region over the past year. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, based in Yokosuka, Japan, will lead the exercise.

According to a Pentagon release on Wednesday, the two-day exercise will focus on improving interoperability and communications with South Korea and Japan, to facilitate disaster relief and maritime security activities in the future.

The three will "conduct this exercise beyond the territorial waters of any coastal nations," it added.

The navies of the US and South Korea will immediately conduct a drill in the Yellow Sea on June 23-25, immediately after the three-nation exercise.

Though South Korea and Japan are US allies in the region, both have approached military cooperation with caution. An earlier report citing South Korean officials said the US and South Korea had planned a three-party drill in 2010 but faced objections from within South Korea due to the country's bitter colonial history with Japan, which led to the idea being shelved.

The joint drill was proposed again at a meeting between Washington and Tokyo in June last year which called for a reinforcement of security and defense cooperation between the three countries, informed sources told Japanese news portal Jiji Press.

The US later highlighted disaster relief cooperation as the key purpose of the exercise to make it easier for South Korea to give its backing to Japan's inclusion, and decided to divide the drill into two stages: the first stage will simulate a rescue operation by armed forces of three countries on June 22-23, while the second stage will be a military exercise by the US and South Korea only on June 23-25.

The joint drill is intended to discourage North Korea from provoking tension on the Korean peninsula, sources told Jiji Press.

Beijing said on Thursday that it is opposed to the joint drill. "China holds that the international community, especially Asia-Pacific countries, should take moves to increase peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and northern Asia, not [take moves] to the contrary," Liu Weimin, spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, was quoted by the official news agency Xinhua as saying.

Beijing said it will also hold a drill in the western Pacific region, but did not give a specific location or time for the exercise.

Source : http://www.wantchinatimes.com

US, Japan, South Korea to hold joint drill; China objects

The exercise will be led by the USS George Washington, pictured near Busan, South Korea in 2010. (Photo/Xinhua)

The United States, Japan and South Korea will conduct an unprecedented joint drill in the waters south of the Korean peninsula on June 21-22, prompting objection from China, which announced later that it will hold a naval drill in the western Pacific, reports our sister newspaper China Times.

It is the first time the three nations have held a joint exercise together, with the US shifting its strategic emphasis to the Asia-Pacific region over the past year. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, based in Yokosuka, Japan, will lead the exercise.

According to a Pentagon release on Wednesday, the two-day exercise will focus on improving interoperability and communications with South Korea and Japan, to facilitate disaster relief and maritime security activities in the future.

The three will "conduct this exercise beyond the territorial waters of any coastal nations," it added.

The navies of the US and South Korea will immediately conduct a drill in the Yellow Sea on June 23-25, immediately after the three-nation exercise.

Though South Korea and Japan are US allies in the region, both have approached military cooperation with caution. An earlier report citing South Korean officials said the US and South Korea had planned a three-party drill in 2010 but faced objections from within South Korea due to the country's bitter colonial history with Japan, which led to the idea being shelved.

The joint drill was proposed again at a meeting between Washington and Tokyo in June last year which called for a reinforcement of security and defense cooperation between the three countries, informed sources told Japanese news portal Jiji Press.

The US later highlighted disaster relief cooperation as the key purpose of the exercise to make it easier for South Korea to give its backing to Japan's inclusion, and decided to divide the drill into two stages: the first stage will simulate a rescue operation by armed forces of three countries on June 22-23, while the second stage will be a military exercise by the US and South Korea only on June 23-25.

The joint drill is intended to discourage North Korea from provoking tension on the Korean peninsula, sources told Jiji Press.

Beijing said on Thursday that it is opposed to the joint drill. "China holds that the international community, especially Asia-Pacific countries, should take moves to increase peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and northern Asia, not [take moves] to the contrary," Liu Weimin, spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, was quoted by the official news agency Xinhua as saying.

Beijing said it will also hold a drill in the western Pacific region, but did not give a specific location or time for the exercise.

Source : http://www.wantchinatimes.com

Back to nuclear: Japan to restart two reactors

Kansai Electric Power Co's Ohi nuclear power plant No. 3 (R) and No. 4 reactors are seen in Ohi, Fukui prefecture (Reuters / Issei Kato)

Despite safety concerns Japan has decided to resume operations at two idle nuclear reactors, opening the door to the country’s return to nuclear power after complete shutdown in the wake of the Fukushima disaster.

­On Saturday, Prime Minster Yoshihiko Noda announced the decision to restart the reactors at Ohi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture in central Japan, Reuters reports. Earlier Fukui Governor Issei Nishikawa conveyed his approval for restarting the No.3 and No.4 reactors to the prime minister.

This is the first restart among Japan’s 50 idle nuclear reactors since March 2011, when the country was struck by world’s worst nuclear catastrophe after Chernobyl.

The decision comes despite numerous public protests and safety concerns.

The nuclear industry remains powerful in Japan and has been pushing for the restart of operations as country’s economy has heavily relied on nuclear power.

The decision reflects government’s concerns about the damage to the economy and underlines the unpopular premier's eagerness to win backing from businesses worried about high electricity costs that could push factories offshore.

Source : rt.com

Back to nuclear: Japan to restart two reactors

Kansai Electric Power Co's Ohi nuclear power plant No. 3 (R) and No. 4 reactors are seen in Ohi, Fukui prefecture (Reuters / Issei Kato)

Despite safety concerns Japan has decided to resume operations at two idle nuclear reactors, opening the door to the country’s return to nuclear power after complete shutdown in the wake of the Fukushima disaster.

­On Saturday, Prime Minster Yoshihiko Noda announced the decision to restart the reactors at Ohi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture in central Japan, Reuters reports. Earlier Fukui Governor Issei Nishikawa conveyed his approval for restarting the No.3 and No.4 reactors to the prime minister.

This is the first restart among Japan’s 50 idle nuclear reactors since March 2011, when the country was struck by world’s worst nuclear catastrophe after Chernobyl.

The decision comes despite numerous public protests and safety concerns.

The nuclear industry remains powerful in Japan and has been pushing for the restart of operations as country’s economy has heavily relied on nuclear power.

The decision reflects government’s concerns about the damage to the economy and underlines the unpopular premier's eagerness to win backing from businesses worried about high electricity costs that could push factories offshore.

Source : rt.com

United States, Republic of Korea and Japanese Naval Exercises Announced

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan will conduct a two-day, trilateral naval exercise June 21 - 22 in the waters south of the Korean peninsula.

The exercise will focus on improving interoperability and communications with the ROK navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, which can facilitate cooperative disaster relief and maritime security activities in the future. The three navies will conduct this exercise beyond the territorial waters of any coastal nation.

The United States will then conduct a routine carrier operation with the ROK navy in the Yellow Sea immediately after the trilateral exercise June 23 - 25.

The George Washington Carrier Strike Group will make a port call in Busan, South Korea, after completing the two exercises.

Source USNAVY

United States, Republic of Korea and Japanese Naval Exercises Announced

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan will conduct a two-day, trilateral naval exercise June 21 - 22 in the waters south of the Korean peninsula.

The exercise will focus on improving interoperability and communications with the ROK navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, which can facilitate cooperative disaster relief and maritime security activities in the future. The three navies will conduct this exercise beyond the territorial waters of any coastal nation.

The United States will then conduct a routine carrier operation with the ROK navy in the Yellow Sea immediately after the trilateral exercise June 23 - 25.

The George Washington Carrier Strike Group will make a port call in Busan, South Korea, after completing the two exercises.

Source USNAVY

Japanese Ministry of Defense Buys REMUS 600 System

Hydroid, Inc., a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime and the leading manufacturer of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), announced that the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD) has purchased one REMUS 600 system for mine countermeasure operations. The new purchase brings the Japanese MOD AUV fleet to five vehicles.

“We are excited by the Japanese Ministry of Defense’s growing use of Hydroid AUVs for detecting underwater mines,” said Christopher von Alt, president and co-founder of Hydroid. “The REMUS 600 is ideally suited for this application, as, when fully configured, its exceptional endurance allows it to operate underwater for long periods of time in varying depths of water.”

The REMUS 600 AUV was specifically designed for operations requiring extended endurance, increased payload capacity and greater operating depth.

Earlier this year the Japanese MOD purchased four REMUS 100 systems for investigating and mapping seafloor dispersion of contaminants as well as mine countermeasure operations. Mine detection work includes locating explosive devices and other undetonated ordnances as well as finding and classifying submerged objects.

Hydroid’s REMUS AUVs are modular: They can be fitted with a variety of sensors and used to aid in hydrographic surveys, harbor security operations, debris field mapping, scientific sampling and mapping, as well as many basic and applied research programs. With more than 300 vehicles in the field, Kongsberg Maritime is currently the AUV market leader.

The order for the MOD purchase was submitted by SEA Corporation, Hydroid’s representative in Japan.

Hydroid, Inc. is located in the U.S. and a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime, it is part of the Kongsberg Maritime AUV Group, the world’s most trusted manufacturer of advanced Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). REMUS and HUGIN AUVs provide innovative and reliable full-picture AUV systems for the marine research, defense, hydrographic and offshore/energy markets. Together, REMUS and HUGIN represent the most advanced, diversified and field-proven family of AUVs and AUV support systems in the world.

Source : http://navaltoday.com

Japanese Ministry of Defense Buys REMUS 600 System

Hydroid, Inc., a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime and the leading manufacturer of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), announced that the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD) has purchased one REMUS 600 system for mine countermeasure operations. The new purchase brings the Japanese MOD AUV fleet to five vehicles.

“We are excited by the Japanese Ministry of Defense’s growing use of Hydroid AUVs for detecting underwater mines,” said Christopher von Alt, president and co-founder of Hydroid. “The REMUS 600 is ideally suited for this application, as, when fully configured, its exceptional endurance allows it to operate underwater for long periods of time in varying depths of water.”

The REMUS 600 AUV was specifically designed for operations requiring extended endurance, increased payload capacity and greater operating depth.

Earlier this year the Japanese MOD purchased four REMUS 100 systems for investigating and mapping seafloor dispersion of contaminants as well as mine countermeasure operations. Mine detection work includes locating explosive devices and other undetonated ordnances as well as finding and classifying submerged objects.

Hydroid’s REMUS AUVs are modular: They can be fitted with a variety of sensors and used to aid in hydrographic surveys, harbor security operations, debris field mapping, scientific sampling and mapping, as well as many basic and applied research programs. With more than 300 vehicles in the field, Kongsberg Maritime is currently the AUV market leader.

The order for the MOD purchase was submitted by SEA Corporation, Hydroid’s representative in Japan.

Hydroid, Inc. is located in the U.S. and a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime, it is part of the Kongsberg Maritime AUV Group, the world’s most trusted manufacturer of advanced Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). REMUS and HUGIN AUVs provide innovative and reliable full-picture AUV systems for the marine research, defense, hydrographic and offshore/energy markets. Together, REMUS and HUGIN represent the most advanced, diversified and field-proven family of AUVs and AUV support systems in the world.

Source : http://navaltoday.com