Aberdeen-based Forum Energy Technologies’ remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the Perry XLX-C, has successfully completed harbour trials in Vietnam.
Working with its customer Submarine Manufacturing & Products (SMP) and the Vietnam Navy, the harbour trials followed an extensive commissioning period and factory acceptance test which took place at Forum’s test tank in Kirbymoorside, Yorkshire.
The new vehicle is the compact derivative of the highly successful XLX work class ROV and was designed, manufactured and tested on the same site. It is a heavy-duty work class hydraulic ROV with a depth rating of 4,000m, with ancillary equipment, including cameras, lights, altimeters and sonars.
It will be used to support the Vietnamese’ submarine rescue vehicle in its operations during assessment and preparation of a site for a submersible rescue. The XLX-C is fitted with Forum’s latest technology and can deliver specialised equipment, including an emergency life support system, to a distressed submarine.
It was supplied with an emergency life support stores (ELSS) underslung ROV skid which allows the transport and deployment of up to three ELSS pods at once to a distressed submarine (DISSUB).
The XLX-C is coupled with a Forum Dynacon Launch and Recovery System (LARS) manufactured in the US. The Houston team also supplied a VMAX ROV training simulator for the XLX-C as a training aid for the ROV pilots.
Forum’s software developers designed a new scenario to instruct pilots on how to latch the ROV with a distressed submarine using a ‘sticky foot’ tool in order to deliver emergency supply pods.
Forum has also provided the Vietnam Navy with a VisualSoft, four Channel VisualDVR, system. This is a multi-channel digital video recorder with dynamic overlay and was supplied by Forum’s VisualSoft team in Aberdeen.
The VisualSoft product line has been synonymous with underwater digital video recording and data management since the company pioneered the use of the technology 20 years ago.
Kevin Taylor, Forum’s vice president - subsea vehicles, said: “The XLX-C’s successful sea trials marks another success for the company as we continue to bring the latest technology to the industry. The vehicle’s capabilities make it ideally suited to a wide range of operations in the defence market.
“Forum has a robust strategy of providing first-class engineering, after-market support and service to our clients from our operating centres in the key regions.
“We have an excellent global team and this project demonstrates the integrated approach we have to ensuring we deliver the best vehicles, bespoke simulation training, and digital video and data acquisition products. We look forward to continuing to support the Vietnam Navy in their subsea operations.”