Defender vs Ally
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Defender
Built for greater control, heavier payloads and demanding intervention
Ally
Built for versatile inspection, light intervention and confined-space operations.
Physical & General Specifications
Release Year
The original launch year of the ROV model
2017
2024
2017
2024
Size
Physical dimensions of the ROV, which impact transport, launch/recovery systems, and space requirements.
71cm x 40cm x 24cm
64cm x 30.5cm x 30.5cm
71cm x 40cm x 24cm
64cm x 30.5cm x 30.5cm​
Weight
The dry weight of the unit, important for deployment planning and vehicle handling.
17.2 kg (38 lbs)
13.6kg (30lbs)
17.2 kg (38 lbs)
13.6kg (30lbs)​
Depth Rating
Maximum certified depth the ROV can safely operate at, based on structural design and pressure tolerance.
300m Standard Config, 1,000m Deep Config
300m
300m Standard Config, 1,000m Deep Config
300m
Performance & Capabilities
Bollard Pull
The maximum horizontal thrust the ROV can generate, typically used to indicate towing or pushing capacity.
23.6kg
22.6kg
22.6kg
50lbs (22.6kg)
Max Speed
The top forward velocity the ROV can achieve in calm water, useful for estimating transit times and efficiency.
Thrust:
Forward 26.7kg
Reverse 15kg
Lateral 8.6kg
Surface 23.1kg
Dive 12.9kg
Knots:
Forward: 4
Vertical: 0.8m/s
Sway: 1
Thrust:
Forward: 16.8 kg
Reverse: 15.0 kg
Lateral: 6.1 kg
Surface: 9.5 kg
Knots:
Forward: 4
Vertical: 0.8m/s
Sway: 0.9
Thrust:
Forward 26.7kg
Reverse 15kg
Lateral 8.6kg
Surface 23.1kg
Dive 12.9kg
Knots:
Forward: 4
Vertical: 0.8m/s
Sway: 1
Thrust:
Forward: 16.8 kg
Reverse: 15.0 kg
Lateral: 6.1 kg
Surface: 9.5 kg
Knots:
Forward: 4
Vertical: 0.8m/s
Sway: 0.9
Max Lifting
The upper weight limit the ROV can lift or assist with underwater.
9.5 kg (20.9 lbs) manipulator payload
10.0kg manipulator payload
9.5 kg (20.9 lbs) manipulator payload
10.0kg manipulator payload
Max Retrieval Weight
The total payload the ROV can bring back to the surface, accounting for lift, stability, and tether strength.
>100lbs
>100lbs
>100lbs
>100lbs
Max Tether Length
The longest length of umbilical cable that can be deployed without losing power, signal quality, or control.
1.5 Km: Subsea Batteries w/
Fiber Optic Tether
1.2 Km: Topside Power w/
Hybrid Fiber Optic Tether
500 m: Subsea Batteries
w/ Expeditionary Copper Tether
450 m: Topside Power w/
Performance Tether (PPT)
450 m: Topside Power w/ Performance Tether (PPT)
1.5 Km: Subsea Batteries w/
Fiber Optic Tether
1.2 Km: Topside Power w/
Hybrid Fiber Optic Tether
500 m: Subsea Batteries
w/ Expeditionary Copper Tether
450 m: Topside Power w/
Performance Tether (PPT)
450 m: Topside Power w/ Performance Tether (PPT)
Power & Propulsion
Topside Power
Indicates whether the ROV relies on surface power delivery (through tether) and outlines voltage/current requirements.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Subsea Battery
Specifies the onboard energy storage, which supports untethered operation or acts as a power backup during missions.
Yes
No
Yes
No
Navigation & Positioning
Integrated USBL(s)
Ultra-short baseline systems allow acoustic tracking of the ROV relative to a surface reference point for precise navigation.
Blueprint Subsea Seatrac Lightweight
Blueprint Subsea Seatrac Lightweight
Blueprint Subsea Seatrac Lightweight
Blueprint Subsea Seatrac Lightweight
Integrated DVL(s)
Doppler Velocity Logs measure the ROV’s speed over ground or through water, aiding in dead-reckoning and station-keeping.
Nortek DVL500 Compact
WaterLinked A50
Nortek DVL500 Compact
WaterLinked A50
Integrated Scanning Sonar(s)
Provides 2D or 3D imaging of the environment for obstacle detection, structure inspection, and mapping.
Tritech Micron
Tritech Micron
Tritech Micron
Tritech Micron
ROV GPS/GNSS Receiver
Surface-based positioning via satellite, typically used when the vehicle surfaces or through a topside-tethered transceiver.
Yes
No
Yes
No
Control & Software
Software Operating System
The interface and underlying logic that govern ROV operations, sensor integration, data logging, and mission planning.
Greensea IQ
Greensea IQ
Greensea IQ
Greensea IQ
Degrees of Freedom (DOF)
The number of independent axes the ROV can move through (e.g., pitch, roll, yaw, lateral), which affects maneuverability in tight or complex environments.
6 DOF: Surge, Heave, Yaw, Sway, Pitch, & Roll
4 DOF: Surge, Heave, Yaw, & Sway
6 DOF: Surge, Heave, Yaw, Sway, Pitch, & Roll
4 DOF: Surge, Heave, Yaw, & Sway
Sensors, Imaging & Tools
Lights
High-output, often dimmable LEDs used to illuminate dark subsea environments during visual inspection or video capture.
2 x 7600 lumens
2 x 7600 lumens
2 x 7600 lumens
2 x 7600 lumens
Camera
The depth rating indicates the maximum operational depth an ROV can safely reach underwater, ensuring reliable performance even in deep-sea environments.
4.7k - Sm 4.7k
Smart Camera / AI
/ ML Processor
Rear-facing camera
Perception Accessories: Voyis,
Vaarst Camera
Ultra 4k Smart Camera NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX Processor, 1 TB SSD
4.7k - Sm 4.7k
Smart Camera / AI
/ ML Processor
Rear-facing camera
Perception Accessories: Voyis,
Vaarst Camera
Ultra 4k Smart Camera NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX Processor, 1 TB SSD
Manipulator – Std. Integration
Weight represents the total mass of the ROV, reflecting its portability and ease of deployment, especially in challenging or remote locations.
2-Function (Open/Close/Rotate)
2-Function (Open/Close/Rotate)
2-Function (Open/Close/Rotate)
2-Function (Open/Close/Rotate)
Other Supported Accessories
Max speed refers to the highest velocity the ROV can achieve underwater, enabling efficient navigation and rapid deployment during operations.
Atlantas Marine Cyclone CP
Cygnus Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge
Impact Subsea FMD *
Zero Point Titan
ECS Viper
Alfords REDS
Acoustic firing initiation
Cavitation Mount
YSI EXO2 Multiparameter
Sonde
Factory-integrated accessories and sensors not yet available
Atlantas Marine Cyclone CP
Cygnus Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge
Impact Subsea FMD *
Zero Point Titan
ECS Viper
Alfords REDS
Acoustic firing initiation
Cavitation Mount
YSI EXO2 Multiparameter
Sonde
Factory-integrated accessories and sensors not yet available
Defender
Built for greater control, heavier payloads and demanding intervention
Ally
Built for versatile inspection, light intervention and confined-space operations.