Mary-Louise Hoffman
API Technologies has introduced a power distribution unit offering designed to remotely power up or shut down electronics on unmanned maritime vehicles.
The DC SMARTStart platform is comprised of a power controller and a circuit protection unit and seeks to help autonomous boat operators manage devices on their vessels, API said Monday.
“Having the ability to remotely power electronics both on and off while providing circuit protection to the connected loads allows these unmanned vessels to extend their mission by increasing battery life,†said Leonardo Marsala, director and general manager of API Technologies’ power and system solutions business.
The U.S. Navy will use the technology on the service’s fleet of swarm boats, according to API.
The branch’s Office of Naval Research is testing remotely controlled vessels designed to autonomously swarm boat threats.
API also designed the solid-state power control device for use in command post platforms, telecommunication systems and blade servers.
