Al Seer Marine, a UAE-based company, has developed the first 3D printed unmanned surface vessel, called the HYDRA USV. It was revealed to the public at NAVDEX 2023, a naval defence expo in Abu Dhabi. The drone, weighing 350 kg and measuring 5m in length, was manufactured in the company’s large 3D printing facility, which is reportedly the world’s largest robotic additive manufacturing system.
The printing process took five days, in addition to the design and engineering work for the drone. The HYDRA is a stealth-shaped boat with sensors located inside the vessel, and the company plans to power it with electric motors.
Al Seer Marine is still developing the system to manufacture more drone parts with 3D printers, and plans to print an integrated mast for the HYDRA. The company also aims to use AM to produce lighter, stronger parts and systems for their other unmanned vessels and vehicles.
The company’s new business unit, called the Additive Manufacturing Unit, will leverage the latest additive manufacturing technologies for the company’s in-house manufacturing, and develop large-scale additive manufacturing products and parts that are in high-demand, both regionally and globally.
The HYDRA USV is a technological demonstration platform that will be used for ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) missions once the development is complete.
Al Seer Marine’s initiative towards 3D printing demonstrates how the technology can provide numerous advantages during the manufacturing process, allowing engineers to design parts with increased complexity in significantly shorter timeframes.
Come and let us know your thoughts on our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages, and don’t forget to sign up for our weekly additive manufacturing newsletter to get all the latest stories delivered right to your inbox.