SJT-class ROUV

The origin of SJT-class ROUV begins with HR-01 (Chinese: 海人一号; pinyin: Hai-Ren Yi-Hao; lit. 'Sea Person # 1'), one of the first indigenously developed ROUVs. Work began in 1982 and was completed in winter 1985,[3] entering service the following year.[4] In 1989, it won 2nd place in the Science and Technology Advance Award of the Chinese Academy of Science.[3] Based on experience gained from HR-01, the three subsequent SJT-class ROUVs were jointly developed with a Canadian company from 1985 through June 1987.[3]

Specifications:[1][2][3][4]

• Weight: 2.2 tons
• Length: 3.1 meters
• Width: 1.5 meters
• Height: 1.9 meters
• Maximum operating depth: 200 meters

HR-01 is equipped with two lowlight TV cameras, 1 photo camera, 1 manipulator, and four hydraulic-driven propulsors.

SJT-5 ROUV is a micro ROUV used for underwater observation. Equipped with underwater color television and a high-power searchlight, it could provide clear underwater images and record the photos taken. In addition, T-5 is equipped with four electrically powered propellers,[1] allowing it to perform complex underwater maneuvers to obtain the optimum position for observation.

Specifications:[1]

• Weight: 12 kg
• Length: 58 cm
• Width: 46 cm
• Height: 25 cm
• Propulsion: 4 electrically powered propellers
• Underwater television: New Vicon color TV
• Elevation and depression: +30 to -45 degrees
• Tether diameter: 12 mm
• Maximum tether tension: 290 kg
• Maximum operating depth: 150 meters

SJT-10 ROUV is a light ROUV with a single manipulator,[3] and now is primarily used for underwater works on offshore oil platforms.[3] The secondary application of SJT-10 is salvage. Other applications included similar jobs for underwater structures in inland waterways. The aluminum-framed SJT-10 is equipped with a digitized depth gauge, compass, sonar, lowlight TV camera, and an onboard computer.[1][2][5]

SJT-40 ROUV is the most capable member of the SJT-class ROUVs and also one of the deepest-diving: up to 400 meters.[3] SJT-40 ROUV has two manipulators and is capable of performing a variety of underwater tasks. Like other SJT-class ROUVs, it is in service with both civilian and military operators, mainly in underwater maintenance work of oil platforms and other structures.[3] Like its smaller cousin SJT-10, the aluminum-framed SJT-40 is also equipped with a digitized depth gauge, digitized compass, sonar, lowlight TV camera, and an onboard computer.[1][2]

Based on experience gained from HR-01 development, SHJTU developed the HR-02 ROUV, which is a small ROUV[6] intended to work in confined spaces underwater.

Similar to its predecessor, HR-03 is also a small ROUV[6] capable of performing additional tasks besides observation, such as sample collection and underwater construction.

Heavy engineering ROUV is a heavy ROUV developed by SHJTU for underwater inspection, maintenance, and construction works up to a depth of 1,500 meters. It is equipped with two manipulators, seven cameras, nine lights, and a sonar.[7]

Specifications:[7]

• Length: 2.23 meters
• Width: 0.9 meters
• Height: 1.21 meters
• Weight: 4.5 tons
• Speed: 3 knots
• Power: 50 HP
• Maximum operating depth: 1,500 meters
• Depth positioning accuracy: ± 0.05 meters
• Directional positioning accuracy: ± 1.2°

Max electrical ROUV is an electrically powered ROUV developed by SHJTU for underwater inspection, maintenance, and construction works up to a depth of 1,000 meters. It is equipped with two manipulators, five cameras, four to six lights, and up to two sonars, based on customer requests.[8]

Specifications:[8]

• Length: 2.48 meters
• Width: 1.3 meters
• Height: 1.5 meters
• Weight: 0.8 tons
• Payload: 150 kg
• Speed: 2.97 knots
• Power: 65 HP
• Maximum operating depth: 1,000 meters
• Depth positioning accuracy: ± 0.2 meters
• Directional positioning accuracy: ± 1.2°

Medium engineering ROUV is a mid-sized ROUV developed by SHJTU for underwater inspection, maintenance, and construction works up to a depth of 500 meters. It is equipped with two manipulators, five cameras, six lights, and a sonar.[9]

Specifications:[9]

• Length: 2.48 meters
• Width: 1.3 meters
• Height: 1.5 meters
• Weight: 1.762 tons
• Payload: 150 kg
• Speed: 2.97 knots
• Power: 65 HP
• Maximum operating depth: 500 meters
• Depth positioning accuracy: ± 0.2 meters
• Directional positioning accuracy: ± 1.2°

ST-6000 is an ROUV designed for deep-sea observation missions; it was completed in June 1995.[1][2] ST-6000 is capable of operating to a depth of 6,000 meters. On 30 September 1995, it reached a depth of 5,200 meters.[1][2]

Dragon Emperor (龙皇; Long-Huang) ROUV is a development of the ST-6000 ROUV. Like its predecessor, Dragon Emperor is also used for deep-sea observation. As an experimental ROUV, it is primarily intended for evaluation and validation of subsystems for future ROUVs designed to operate at great depths.[2] In comparison to its predecessor, Dragon Emperor ROUV can operate at much greater depth, with its maximum operating depth increased by two-thirds, to 10,000 meters.[2][10][11][12][13]

HR-1-100 is a miniature underwater observation vehicle based on the technologies of the much larger HR-01. Since it only performs observation tasks, it is greatly simplified. In addition to a drastic reduction of size and weight, it does not have a manipulator, and the maximum operational depth is reduced by half, to 100 meters.[4] HR-1-100 entered service in 1997.[4]

Specifications:[4]

• Weight: 32 kg
• Maximum operational depth: 100 meters

Another member of SJT class ROUV is JH-01 (交海; Jiao-Hai; 'Transportation Sea') ROUV, which is specifically designed to meet the urgent need for an ROUV for underwater dam inspection and maintenance. The first customer of the JH-01 was Hai He Hydraulic Works Committee,[1][2] and its satisfactory performance led to more orders from different customers, including the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), which deployed JH-01 for breakwater inspection and maintenance.

Specifications:[1][2]

• Weight: 37 kg
• Maximum operating depth: 60 meters

8H4 ROUV is a development of JH-01, and it is capable of operating at a depth ten times that of JH-01.[3] Equipped with two manipulators, 8H4 ROUV can perform various tasks underwater, such as cutting and welding.[3]

Specifications:[3]

• Maximum operating depth: 600 meters

Based on experience gained from earlier ROUVs, SHJTU developed JTD-01 Deep Eel (深鳗; Shen-Man) I ROUV specifically for underwater salvage operations.[2] In December 2012, Deep Eel I ROUV was successfully deployed in salvage work at the mouth of Pearl River.[2]

Specifications:[14]

• Length: 9.1 meters
• Width: 4.1 meters
• Height: 4.5 meters
• Weight: 40 tons
• Maximum operating depth: 200 meters

Walrus 1500 ROUV is a ROUV developed by SHJTU for underwater inspection, maintenance, and construction works up to a depth of 1,500 meters. It is equipped with manipulators, cameras, and lights.[15]

Specifications:[15]

• Maximum operating depth: 1,500 meters