Abu Dhabi-based Al Seer Marine has made headlines by unveiling the world’s first 3D-printed autonomous surface vessel (ASV) called Hydra. Al Seer Marine manufactured the unmanned surface vessel, which is around four meters long and 1.5 meters wide, at its facility in the industrial area of Mussafah in Abu Dhabi. The Hydra is designed as a scalable modular multi-functional ASV, capable of carrying non-lethal payloads with camera, radar, and sonar systems.
It uses a waterjet propulsion system and can be deployed for security, surveillance, and reconnaissance, primarily for protecting offshore installations, desalination plants, private islands, and super yachts. The Hydra’s hull and deck were printed on the world’s largest robotic arm-based 3D printer called ‘Mega II,’ which has two industrial hybrid robots for additive manufacturing and post-processing.
During the seventh edition of the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (Navdex) held in Abu Dhabi, the Hydra was on display. Al Seer Marine believes that the use of 3D printing technology will revolutionize the marine, security and defence, art and culture, railways and automotive, space agencies, and aviation industries.
