Echo Ranger

Summary

Echo Ranger is a marine autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) built by Boeing.

Class overview
NameEcho Ranger
BuildersBoeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS)
OperatorsBoeing
Preceded byORISIS
Built2001
In commissionSeptember 30, 2004
Completed1
Active1
General characteristics Echo Ranger
TypeAutonomous underwater vehicle
Displacement5,308 kilograms (11,702 lb))
Length5.5 m (18 ft)
Beam1.27 m (4 ft 2 in)
Height1.27 m (4 ft 2 in)
PropulsionThrusters
Speed
  • 8 knots (15 km/h) maximum
  • 3 to 6 knots (5.6 to 11.1 km/h) normal operating speed
Endurance28 hours (can be configured for 30-day missions)
Test depth3,050 m (10,010 ft)

Originally built in 2001 to capture high-resolution sonar images of sea beds for oil and natural gas companies, such as the Exxon Mobil Corporation, Echo Ranger underwent testing for possible use by the military. Among its possible military uses are to stalk targets in enemy waters, patrol local harbors to detect national security threats, and scour ocean floors to detect environmental hazards. The submersible weighs more than five tons (4.5 metric tons), is 18.5 feet (5.6 meters) long and is able to descend to 10,000 feet (3,000 meters).

See also edit

Sources edit

  • Hennigan, W., J., "Boeing tests submarine drone off Santa Catalina Island," Los Angeles Times, August 19, 2001.
  • auvac.org AUV System Spec Sheet: Echo Ranger platform Archived 2011-09-25 at the Wayback Machine
  • boeing.com Echo Ranger