M75 High-Speed Security Patrol USV

The M75 High-Speed Security Patrol USV is a Chinese maritime surveillance and rescue vessel built by OceanAlpha. The M75 is designed for patrol, search-and-rescue, transportation, offshore oil and gas infrastructure inspection and survey work.

An operator controls the USV from a multi-screen control unit capable of installation on a shore-based facility, mothership or ground vehicle. When operational, the M75 sends real-time videos and data directly to the control station.

Manned and unmanned operation modes are available. When unmanned, the USV relies on autonomous GPS navigation and intelligent obstacle avoidance functions. OceanAlpha bills the system as capable of operation in autonomous swarm teams.

HULL: The USV is built from fiber glass, carbon fiber and Kevlar ballistic fabric. The M75 measures 17 ft 5 in (5.3 m) long, 5 ft 8 in (1.72 m) wide and 9 ft 4 in (2.85 m) high, with a draft of 1 ft 5 in (0.42 m).
It weighs approximately 3,000 lb (1,350 kg), with a payload capacity of 110 lb (50 kg). It can carry 440 lb (200 kg) of supplies.

A single operator controls the vessel, while the integrated life raft can carry six passengers.

ENGINEERING: A waterjet propeller can power the USV to a top speed of 26 knots. It can reach a maximum range of 120 nm (220 km), though it can only provide real-time footage and data within 8 nm (15 km) of its control station.

The M75 can operate in conditions up to Sea State 4. The USV is fitted with self-straightening functions to improve survivability in difficult conditions.

ARMAMENT: The M75 USV is unarmed.

SENSORS/ELECTRONICS: A modular design allows the USV to configure multiple payload types for mission-specific requirements. A laser radar and Simrad navigation radar are fitted. A front view and rear view camera are installed along with a front-facing, military-grade photoelectric pod capable of taking high resolution photos as well as identifying and tracking long-distance targets in night or day. The M75 is provisioned for LTE wireless broadband communication.

The system is fitted with loudspeakers, search lights and warning lights to assist in SAR missions and deterrence of trespassing vessels.

An optional Very High Frequency (VHF) radio station, life raft, lifebuoy, or oil spill detection system have been fitted. When fitted, the life raft can be automatically ejected by the USV in emergency situations. Survey and monitoring equipment including multibeam sonars, sub-bottom profilers, side-scan sonars, magnetometers, acoustic Doppler current profilers and other instruments can be fitted at client request.

In service with the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

The M75 High-Speed Security Patrol unmanned surface vehicle (USV) was developed by Hong Kong-based firm, OceanAlpha.

In November 2019, OceanAlpha provided China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) with USV solutions for offshore gas and oil platforms, culminating in the delivery of four M75 USVs for patrol and transportation work.

In 2022, OceanAlpha won a bid for the China National Petroleum Corporation-BGP's (CNPC-BGP) Middle East Offshore Oilfield Unmanned Vessel project. As a result, the company will provide the state enterprise with unmanned systems for geophysical surveys which may include the M75 USV.

OceanAlpha displayed the M75 USV at China's Zhuhai Air Show in November 2022.

The M75 USV was displayed by OceanAlpha at the Marintec China defense and technology exhibition in Shanghai, China from Dec. 5 to 8, 2023.

OceanAlpha, Hong Kong, China

 China

 CREW
   Operator                1
   Life raft               6

 WEIGHTS
   Total                   3,000 lb (1,350 kg)
   Payload                   110 lb (50 kg)
   Supplies                  440 lb (200 kg)

 DIMENSIONS
   Length                  17 ft 5 in ( 5.3 m)
   Draft                    1 ft 5 in (0.42 m)
   Width                    5 ft 8 in (1.72 m)
   Height                   9 ft 4 in (2.85 m)

 PROPULSION
   Main                    1 x waterjet propeller

 PERFORMANCE
   Speed                   26 knots
   Range                   120 nm (220 km)

 SENSORS/ELECTRONICS
   Radar                   1 x Simrad navigation
                           1 x laser radar
   Electro-optical         1 x photoelectric pod
   Cameras                 1 x front view
                           1 x rear view

The M75 USV was operated in conjunction with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to survey the Pearl River estuary on Dec. 6, 2017. The USV travelled at a speed of less than 6 knots, surveying a route of pre-set points in the estuary, using an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) mounted on the bow and an EXO2 multi-parameter sonde on the right side of the boat. During the survey, the USV was used to monitor and record metrics such as surface salinity, temperature, chlorophyll concentration and dissolved oxygen distribution in observed areas.

On June 27, 2018, an M75 USV was used to rescue two people stranded at sea. The two individuals had fallen in the South China, and following an S.O.S signal, an M75 was sent to their location using autonomous GPS navigation. Upon detecting the drowning individuals, the controller was able to communicate using an integrated loudspeaker. A life raft was automatically deployed to carry the victims, after which the USV dragged the raft back to shore.

OceanAlpha's M75 USVs have been deployed to patrol and protect the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation's (CNOOC) Weizhou offshore gas and oil rigs. Four units have, since July 2021, been used for patrol, monitoring, target tracking, inspection and material transport purposes across the platforms.

Alternatively referred to as the M75 Guardian or M75 Protector.