FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 14, 2004

EdgeTech recently delivered to Kongsberg Simrad a synthetic aperture side scan sonar for installation on a Hugin 1000 AUV. Following Sea Acceptance Tests the system is to be delivered to the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) via the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI).

The Hugin 1000 with EdgeTech's SAS sonar will be used for Mine Counter Measures (MCM) and Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) applications.

Kongsberg Simrad, using a test Hugin AUV during the last part of 2003, conducted successful in-water tests of EdgeTech's SAS System. Sonar images from the system can be seen at www.edgetech.com.

This SAS sonar is a 120 kHz version with 6 (six) 20-cm. sub-elements in each array. Along track resolution is 10 cm., independent of range. The system is designed for the power, weight, and size constraints of AUV installations and can be deployed to full ocean depth. EdgeTech also plans to offer SAS systems for ROV and towed platforms. The company plans to offer other frequencies and along track resolutions as part of a wide offering of Synthetic Aperture Side Scan Sonars.

Uses of synthetic aperture side scan sonar include mine search, rapid environmental assessment, search and recovery, hydrographic surveys, and cable and pipeline survey.

The sonar signal processing is based on the company's widely accepted and successful Full Spectrum chirp technology. EdgeTech's SAS system is part of a family of side scan sonars that can be used in shallow and deep water and have been installed in towed vehicles, ROV's and AUV's. Along with side scan sonar the company also offers a range of sub-bottom profilers and combined side scan sonar/sub-bottom profiler systems.

To visit the 4400-SAS Side Scan Sonar page click here.