Packed with ten powerful thrusters and with the capacity to carry a seven-function position feedback manipulator and five-function rate manipulator, the new Saab Seaeye Panther XT Plus has quickly become a top seller with four systems sold for delivery this year.
With 50% more power, and swimming 30% faster, operators value the ability of the new Panther to hold steady in strong shallow-water currents, making it ideal for a range of work and survey tasks. Although rated to 1500m water depth, the application of the Panther XT Plus in high current shallow water locations is creating the main interest from customers who wish to have more capability in these more difficult areas of operation.
To speed the completion of complex tasks, operators also value the heavy duty power and precise control coming from the introduction of industry standard seven-function position feedback manipulators which was not possible on other versions of Panther.
To accommodate these larger and heavier manipulator arms, and provide additional capability for a greater range of tools and sensors, the vehicle payload has been significantly increased by re-designing the frame and buoyancy of the widely proven Panther concept.
For operators working to a tight deadline or in difficult conditions, having ten thrusters in hand brings peace of mind by offering a reassuringly high degree of redundancy.
Cost savings are a particular attraction to operators, with the Panther XT Plus having the work class capability of a small hydraulic work ROV.
Yet its overall cost of ownership is considerably less, including needing just a quarter of the deck space of an equivalent hydraulic vehicle, and far fewer crew.
All this accounts for the phenomenal success of the new Panther XT Plus, say Saab Seaeye, and why operators have rushed to purchase this latest model in the tried and tested Panther range – and why they are increasingly turning to the new breed of powerful electric work ROVs that can tackle most work tasks including drill support, IRM, survey and even some construction tasks, at much less cost.
Saab Seaeye is the world’s largest manufacturer of electric ROVs, and now includes Saab’s underwater vehicle capability which provides tethered, autonomous and hybrid underwater vehicle systems for the defence industry.
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Source: seaeye ,March 17, 2011;