Razor is a two-man portable non-cylindrical multi-mission unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) developed for Harbor Defense missions including the swimmer interdiction, bottom surveys and hull inspections. The vehicle’s modular design provides a core suite of systems supporting navigation, field replenishable energy, high end navigation and propulsion. Razor features unique bio-inspired propulsion in addition to conventional axial thrusters.
Developed through ONR sponsorship, Razor’s bio-inspired propulsion system propels Razor using similar techniques as penguins and turtles. When the vehicle operates in flow fields, these techniques can offer significant energy efficiency over more conventional means of propulsion, thereby leveraging the surrounding environment. Razor’s propulsion systems support both cruising and ROV-like maneuvering including hovering/station keeping. With its maneuvering agility and large payload capacity (> 2 cu Ft)Razor can facilitate improved classification and identification during Search, Classify and Map (SCM) missions with 360 degree sensor coverage of targets of interest.