Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard launched the research vessel "Pioneer-M". As reported by United Shipbuilding Corporation, it will use technologies of unmanned navigation.
It is believed that unmanned vessels will reduce the cost of transportation and reduce the environmental burden on the waters of rivers and seas. In Russia, they have been interested in their development for several years. For example, the government has been preparing a draft resolution on the trial operation of autonomous vessels since 2016. As part of this experiment, Rosmorport has already started testing equipment that allows converting ordinary vessels into non-crew vessels. They are carried out on the dredger "Redut" and the dirt scow "Rabochaya".
"Pioneer-M" is a small catamaran-type research vessel with a hull made of composite materials. It was laid down at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard in 2019. The length of the vessel is 25.7 meters, the width is nine meters, and the displacement is 114 tons. It can travel at a speed of ten knots. Its range is 500 miles, and its autonomy is five days.
"Pioneer-M" was launched on September 24. Now it will continue to be completed. When the work is completed, the vessel will be operated year-round in the waters of the Black and Azov Seas. It will be used to develop technologies for unmanned navigation.
Unmanned vessels are also being developed in other countries. Earlier we wrote about the Chinese autonomous research vessel, which should be put into operation next year.
Vasilisa Chernyavtseva