Ocean Infinity have selected the Saab Seaeye Leopard to complement its pioneering 'Armada' fleet of unmanned surface robot vessels.

The Leopard work-class underwater vehicles will be deployed from Ocean Infinity’s initial 13 environmentally sustainable unmanned vessels for a variety of offshore and coastal services.

Dan Hook, Ocean Infinity, said, "The 3000 m Seaeye Leopard was chosen not only because it is well suited to USV applications but more specifically because of its comparable capabilities to a conventional hydraulic work class vehicle, but with considerably less input power, meaning materially reduced carbon emissions."

"The Leopard has ready adaptability for ‘Over the Horizon’ operations as well as a clear reputation for reliability and its suitability for remote operations – crucial for maintenance or repairs as part of an unmanned fleet," he continued.

Saab Seaeye Leopards join ‘Armada’ fleet of multiple unmanned surface vessels.

Jon Robertson, Saab Seaeye said: "We're proud to be chosen to be part of this revolutionary unmanned fleet. The Armada Fleet complete with the Leopard vehicle will dramatically reduce the impact of offshore operations by cutting CO₂ emissions and at the same time increase safety at sea by reducing manpower deployed."

Ocean Infinity’s Armada Fleet is a major advance in the global maritime industry, driving technology and sustainability to deliver a wide range of services including offshore and coastal survey data acquisition, geotechnical surveys, ROV and AUV operations, logistics and security in the safest, lowest impact and highest value way that exists today.

The fleet will be operated and monitored from onshore control centres based in Southampton UK, Austin Texas USA and a location soon to be finalised in Asia.

Construction of the fleet is underway and is expected to be operational early next year.