The strategy consists of a server and software based on artificial intelligence, an operator console, yet a semi-autonomic underwater vehicle that serves to search and identify sea mines. This is briefly the Tukan that engineers from Gdańsk are working on. Will the AI drone be equipped with Polish ships?
They will build a vehicle that has not yet been in Poland. For the construction of Tukan, for that is to be called, scientists from Gdańsk University of Technology received a grant of PLN 8.6 million from the National Centre for investigation and Development. – The projects we support are intended to meet the needs of the force departments. We besides want to strive for technological independency by creating Polish know-how – explains the NCBR press team. The work on the Toukan has been going on for 3 years, but the mark is at hand. We're about to start rehearsals at the college pool. Then we'll most likely decision to an experimental facility in Iława and test the operation of Tukan in the waters of Lake. And if everything goes as planned, we'll go to the Baltic. The task should be completed on 15 December 2025 – announced Prof. Jerzy Kowalski, the manager of the investigation squad from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Shipbuilding at Gdańsk University of Technology.
Under the supervision of the operator
What is Tukan? Prof. Kowalski talks about a strategy consisting of a server and software based on artificial intelligence, an operator's console, yet a semi-autonomic underwater vehicle, which is utilized to search for and identify marine mines, as well as improvised explosives. The drone itself weighs about 100 kg and can descend to 200 m. It was equipped with lateral and frontal sonars and a camera. In the presumption it will be able to be launched from a boat, a ship, and yet besides from unmanned water platforms controlled by radio. The toucan has its own drive, but during the mission it will stay connected to the host deck with a peculiar wire.
The operator will be able to control it while tracking the image from the deep in real time. In addition, he will receive crucial aid erstwhile identifying the latent finds. – The system, thanks to artificial intelligence algorithms, will find which object is simply a mine, nonexplosion or improvised explosive. In case of doubt, the operator will be able to verify this indication by targeting the camera. Nevertheless, this kind of hint will importantly improve his actions – prof. Kowalski admits.
The task is designed to make a technology demonstrators whose usefulness will be assessed by external experts. Their course is followed by members of the NCBiR supervisory team, as well as army representatives. Scientists themselves declare that they are ready to make the system. – We would like him to be able to learn on the basis of databases stored on the server – as Prof. Kowalski says. But that is not the end. “We presume that we will yet be able to put respective vehicles into the strategy that will be able to carry out their tasks at the same time,” the task manager points out. Importantly, the vehicle itself has a modular design. – This means that future users will be given the chance to exchange individual components: engine, cameras, sonars. This will enable them to meet the requirements of fast-growing technology – says Prof. Kowalski.
For years, sailors have been utilizing an unmanned dummy vehicle built at the university.
More drones.
Will Tukan yet be equipped with Polish ships? There's no way to find that. But surely the request for various types of unmanned aircraft is increasing rapidly – so that in the native navy. Today, specified devices can be found primarily in mine forces – on Cormorans, or modern mine destroyers task 258, but besides older trawlers of task 207. Vehicles, depending on the type, are utilized to search for, identify and destruct marine mines and unexploded. But they are not only useful for this. Hugo is Gavie it can be successfully utilized to monitor underwater critical infrastructure.
The Navy uses vehicles of the most recognized companies. But the increased interest in unmanned technologies is besides an chance for Polish designers. Gdańsk University of Technology is an excellent example of this. For years, sailors have been utilizing an unmanned dummy vehicle built at the university. – The strategy consists of 2 types of vehicles: combat and school-opportunity vehicles – explained Aleksander Gierkowski from Gdańsk University any time ago. The first version is equipped with a tiny cumulative charge. The operator guides them to the target, then initiates distant detonation. The vehicle is destroyed with a mine. “Here the Fool acts a bit like a kamikaze,” stressed Gierkowski. Vehicle number 2 has no charge. It can be utilized to search for mines, inspect underwater infrastructure, yet training sailors. Initially, the Fools were equipped with already withdrawn min destroyers of the 206FM project. present they are utilized by crews of the already mentioned Cormorans, as well as sailors from 2 trawlers – OORP “Hancza” and “Team”.
In the studios of Gdańsk University of Technology besides was born Ukwia, a remote-controlled unmanned vehicle designed to search for dangerous objects, but not only. utilizing the vehicle, the operator may besides plant the Toczek explosive under the mine. The system, like Fool, debuted on board 206FM ships. After they were withdrawn from the line, he went to military warehouses. But the decision-makers didn't forget him. After a insignificant lift, he hit “Hanchka” and “Teams”. The improvement of the Ukwał became another unmanned man – Morświn, who was inactive in the equipment of the ORP “Kormoran”, or prototype mine destroyer of task 258 in 2017. It should be added that the main constructor of all 4 vehicles was Prof. Lech Rowinski.
In the armies of the planet there is simply a drone revolution, while the process of saturating troops with unmanned systems has accelerated even after the outbreak of a full-scale war in Ukraine. This besides applies to the maritime domain. Gradually, artificial intelligence enters the game. Poland is trying to stay up to date. This applies not only to troops, but besides – as you can see – scientists, designers, and yet the defence industry.
