The system, developed on the two organizations’ own initiative is a response to needs identified by public security services as well as operators of critical infrastructure. In addition, it may be offered to the armed forces, including the Navy. The event was hosted by Professor Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology, and Bartłomiej Zając, President of the Management Board of Radmor. This should come as no surprise, as the two sides had earlier, in September 2024, signed a cooperation agreement covering projects involving unmanned maritime systems and other solutions intended for the Polish Armed Forces.
Photos: Radosław Niesobski, MILMAG
The Pirania prototype was developed in five months. All funding came from the partners’ own resources on a 50/50 basis. The new design, intended as an inspection vehicle, is based on the Głuptak platform. Its maximum operating depth is 200 meters, total weight is 50 kg, and onboard battery capacity is 17 Ah. The vehicle measures 35 × 28 × 140 cm. Its operational range is up to 1,000 meters, corresponding to the length of its tether, and its maximum speed is 6 knots. As the hosts explained, the changes compared with Głuptak include the integration of a multibeam imaging sonar from Blueprint Subsea, an HD camera from Blue Robotics, additional lighting from Blue Robotics, a Doppler log from Water Linked, and a computer capable of handling the transmission of additional data streams.
If the system enters serial production, its developers point to the possibility of further modifications, including the use of modern Li-ion battery cells, installation of an additional tunnel thruster, redesign of the LED lighting system, integration of a universal arm with a manipulator, use of a different camera capable of operating in low-light conditions, and the adoption of other types of Oculus M-series sonars.
During the demonstration, the main aspects of the program were discussed, and a sample mission was carried out during which the operators detected and identified two objects lying on the bottom of the Vistula River – both were full-scale weight-and-dimension mock-ups of bottom mines. Invited guests were able to follow the mission on television screens displaying both the sonar imagery and the feed from the onboard camera.
Pirania is the result of an agreement between Radmor and Gdańsk University of Technology dated January 23, 2025 (Pirania: Gdańsk University of Technology and Radmor join forces).
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