According to information published by Militarnyi on October 28, 2023, Germany has transferred Sonobot 5 Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) to Ukraine.
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Sonobot 5 Unmanned Surface Vehicle. (Picture source: Mykolaiv DSNS)
These devices are utilized for surveying water bodies and detecting ammunition and other hazardous objects on the seabed. At least some of the surface drones supplied by Germany to Ukraine are Sonobot 5 models.
It's noteworthy that earlier this year, Ukrainian rescuers published videos and photos of using such drones for surveying water bodies for unexploded ordnance or their remnants.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine informed that Sonobot 5, manufactured by the German company EvoLogics GmbH, is a compact surface platform that can be flexibly adapted for hydrographic surveying in inland waters.
Sonobot 5 is used for three-dimensional mapping. The device can be employed during search operations to detect objects posing threats to people's safety and infrastructure. For Ukraine, the detection of explosive objects left after combat actions or Russian shelling is particularly relevant.
The Sonobot 5 surface drone can be equipped with various types of echo sounders and a side-scan sonar (in different configurations as per the customer's request).
Additionally, the drone is equipped with a video camera to support navigation and perform photo and video documentation. The drone can execute autonomous missions along a pre-approved route. It can also be operated by an operator in a radio-controlled mode. The survey data is displayed in real-time.
