L3 Tests Iver4 Portable UUV in Long-Endurance Mission

L3 Technologies has completed the initial long-duration mission of its new Iver4 unmanned underwater vehicle, wherein the system demonstrated power endurance, system efficiency and predictability, Naval Technology reported Wednesday.

Iver4 explored over 35 nautical miles across San Diego Bay in California to collect side scan sonar and bathymetry data.

Equipped with a standard nickel-metal hydride battery configuration, the UUV stayed for more than 14 hours underwater and kept battery power after the mission.

L3 said Iver4 is designed to operate for up to 20 hours, depending on payload and employment.

“This successful mission demonstrates the Iver4’s extended endurance that our naval customers require to complete long ingress and egress missions,” said Daryl Slocum, general manager of L3 Fall River. 

He added the UUV offers high quality data collection, precise navigation and swappable payloads to support a number of military and commercial applications.

L3 plans to install alternative batteries on the drone, including lithium ion, to increase operation time to more than 40 hours.