The payload includes: 2 × Cerulean Omniscan 450SS side-scan sonar units Foldable mounting system and electronics housing Ethernet switch module Explorer transport case The UAV and other system components are configured according to the selected integration.

Yes. The system combines professional side-scan sonar technology with UAV positioning, SkyHub data logging and HYPACK Marine Search Software, providing a complete workflow for professional underwater search and inspection applications. Need advice on UAV sonar?
Contact JBUAS to discuss the EchoNIMBUS Side-Scan Sonar and determine whether side-scan sonar, scanning sonar, SBES or MBES is the right technology for your underwater search, inspection or survey project.

Although both systems use sonar technology, they are designed for different purposes. EchoNIMBUS Side-Scan Sonar is designed primarily for underwater search, target detection and inspection, producing sonar imagery to identify objects and seabed features. EchoNIMBUS MBES is a 240 kHz multibeam echosounder designed primarily for bathymetric surveying and measuring water depth across a wide swath.

Yes. JBUAS can provide the EchoNIMBUS side-scan sonar payload together with UAV integration, SkyHub, UgCS software, TTF, mounting equipment and supporting components, depending on the project requirements.

Yes. JBUAS provides training and support for its integrated UAV sensor systems. Its dedicated Test & Training Centre includes facilities for demonstrating and training with UAV sonar and other geophysical sensors.

Yes. The integrated UAV system can incorporate UgCS True Terrain Following (TTF) radar technology.

Yes. The integrated system can be operated manually or used with UgCS Pro for pre-planned autonomous search patterns. This can help provide systematic coverage across larger areas.

Yes. UAV deployment is particularly useful for locations where conventional boats, remotely operated vessels or diving teams are difficult to deploy.

There is no single spacing suitable for every project. It depends on water depth, range setting and the amount of overlap required. For mission planning, the EchoNIMBUS-SSS system calculates recommended profile width based on the total swath and selected overlap.

Survey coverage depends on the water depth, sonar range and desired overlap between adjacent survey lines. The SkyHub EchoNIMBUS-SSS calculator can be used to determine swath width, dead-zone geometry and recommended survey-line spacing.

Side-scan sonar systems have a central dead zone immediately beneath the sensor. The EchoNIMBUS system scans to both sides, so survey planning needs to account for this area when complete coverage is required.

A UAV can deploy the sonar rapidly without requiring a survey vessel to enter the water. This can be particularly valuable where the water is shallow, hazardous, inaccessible or difficult to navigate. It can also improve operational safety by allowing initial underwater searches to be carried out remotely before personnel or divers are deployed.

The integrated UAV system supports HYPACK Marine Search Software, which provides real-time display of side-scan targets, target analysis and location reporting, as well as post-search analysis and mapping.

Yes. The UAV sonar system supports a real-time data link to shore, allowing sonar information to be monitored during the mission.

Yes. SkyHub records sensor information together with timestamps and geographical positioning, allowing sonar targets to be located geographically during post-processing.

Yes. The EchoNIMBUS-SSS integrates with UgCS SkyHub, which provides the onboard computing and sensor interface for the UAV system.

The EchoNIMBUS-SSS is a drone-integrated side-scan sonar system incorporating two Cerulean Omniscan 450SS sonar units. The transducers are positioned to scan the water and seabed on both sides of the UAV’s flight path.

The two Omniscan 450SS transducers have a combined airborne payload weight of approximately 1.8 kg. The complete system, including the sensors, SkyHub, altimeter, housing, cables and mounting components, weighs approximately 2.4 kg.

Yes. The system is specifically designed as a UAV payload. Supported platforms include the DJI Matrice 400 RTK, Matrice 350 RTK and Matrice 300 RTK, as well as comparable Pixhawk/Cube-based drones.

Yes. The system can be used in saltwater environments including tidal rivers, estuaries and coastal areas, as well as freshwater bodies.

Yes. The system can be used in freshwater environments, including lakes, rivers and other inland water bodies.

Yes. UAV side-scan sonar can support scour and fluvial erosion investigations, helping identify changes and features around river channels and submerged infrastructure. JBUAS specifically identifies scour projects as an application for its UAV sonar systems.

Yes. River-channel assessment is one of the applications for the system. It can help identify submerged objects, changes in the riverbed and other features requiring further investigation.

Yes. UAV sonar systems can support police, search-and-rescue and other emergency-service operations by providing an aerially deployed method of searching underwater areas. JBUAS has previously demonstrated its UAV sonar technology to police forces, the Environment Agency and search-and-rescue organisations.

Yes. The EchoNIMBUS Side-Scan Sonar is suitable for search and recovery operations, allowing a defined area to be searched from a UAV while sonar data is recorded and geographically referenced.

Yes. UAV side-scan sonar can be used to inspect and locate submerged infrastructure, potentially reducing the need for divers to conduct initial visual searches. JBUAS identifies diver-support and submerged infrastructure inspection as key applications.

Yes. Object detection is one of the principal applications of side-scan sonar. The system can identify acoustic targets on or beneath the water surface, making it suitable for locating submerged debris, infrastructure and other objects.

The Cerulean Omniscan 450SS has a specified measurement range of up to 150 metres. Actual effective detection range will depend on water conditions, target characteristics, acoustic noise and the selected survey settings.

Each transducer has a 50° cross-track beam width, providing approximately ±25° of coverage from the centreline on each side. The actual seabed coverage depends on water depth, range setting and survey geometry.

The system uses 450 kHz Cerulean Omniscan 450SS side-scan sonar technology. Two transducers are supplied as part of the EchoNIMBUS-SSS payload.

Side-scan sonar is used to detect and image objects and features beneath the water surface. Typical applications include: Submerged infrastructure inspection Search and recovery Debris detection River-channel assessment Scour and fluvial erosion investigations Locating submerged objects Supporting underwater inspection and diving operations JBUAS also identifies side-scan sonar as a solution for freshwater, tidal and coastal search and inspection applications.