QinetiQ navigation system to be demonstrated to RN during
Trafalgar 200 Fleet Review

Orpheus' music saved the Argonauts from being lured to destruction as they sailed past the
island of the Sirens

QinetiQ's ORPHEUSâ„¢ (Onboard Risk Performance Hazard Evaluation System) is a unique onboard decision aid computer software tool designed to assist Royal Navy bridge officers in operating ships safely in extreme weather conditions. The navigation system has a dedicated and flexible operator guidance system that gives clear and concise information on ship performance in a variety of bad weather scenarios.

ORPHEUSâ„¢ will be demonstrated to senior Royal Naval personnel on board a Type 23 Frigate during the Trafalgar 200 celebrations off Portsmouth at the end of June and later this year it will be fitted to three Royal Navy Type 23 frigates for long term trials.

QinetiQ's scientists at Haslar near Portsmouth worked with the MOD's Sea Technology Group over a three-year period to develop ORPHEUSâ„¢. Together they amassed material, including specific ship simulations, to use as a base for information. ORPHEUSâ„¢ can display measured motions, predictions of motions at alternative speeds and heading combinations alongside operating limits. The MS Windows® based system combines real-time data with a database of previously generated data which, when selected, is plotted to a computer screen.

Traditionally, Royal Navy guidance on how to operate ships in severe weather has been given in the form of general seamanship lectures during navigational training and from
sea-going experience of what to avoid. Computer guidance tools providing advice on how to minimise the risk to ships and ship systems when operating in severe seas are not routinely used on Royal Navy ships. The little information that is available tends to be paper-based graphs
that have limited usefulness in bad weather.

As well as being a useful classroom navigational training tool, ORPHEUSâ„¢ brings real benefit in actual bad weather conditions during operations such as landing aircraft on to a flight deck, lowering and recovering small boats, managing towed arrays and with weapon firing.

In 2004 a prototype demonstrator of ORPHEUSâ„¢ was evaluated in rough weather during RN exercises held off the West Coast of Scotland. Simple to interpret polar contour plots aided decision making by showing how ship speed and course changes might affect the ability to perform tasks in a variety of speeds and headings. Feedback on the demonstrator was extremely positive and discussions have since been underway with the UK MOD and other Navies regarding future development of the tool. Several foreign navies have expressed an interest in purchasing the system.

To learn more about QinetiQ technologies visit Stand 72/73 at UTD Europe.