Industries & Applications: USV & Autonomous Marine
No crew on board.
No margin for sensor failure.
When the vessel is autonomous, every sensor is a crew member. Gill Group supplies the wind measurement, liquid level and position sensing that USV programmes specify when failure is not an option.
75 m/s
Max wind speed measured
IP69k
WindUltra protection rating
±1%
@ 50% FSD 20°C LevelLite accuracy
100+
Marine buoys fitted worldwide
The challenge
The sea is the most demanding sensor environment on earth. USVs raise the stakes further.
Saltwater corrosion, constant vibration, wave-induced tank turbulence, extreme temperature range, and months of unattended operation. These are not edge cases for USV deployments. They are the specification.
A sensor that fails on a manned vessel triggers a maintenance call. On an autonomous platform conducting a defence sortie, a hydrographic survey, a port security patrol or a long-range environmental mission, it triggers something else entirely. Mission abort at best.
The sensor supplier is not a component decision. It is a programme risk decision.
Wind data is a control input, not a weather report
Speed, direction, gust threshold. On an autonomous surface vessel these are not advisory inputs. They determine whether the mission proceeds, whether the platform holds station in a DP application, and whether the navigation stack has what it needs. It must be accurate. Every reading.
Float sensors were not designed for the sea
Conventional level sensors sit on the surface of the liquid in the tank. The sea is never flat. The liquid moves. The float moves with it, and the reading becomes noise. Capacitive sensing eliminates this at the point of physics, not at the point of software correction.
Corrosion does not announce itself
Salt spray, immersion, ice loading, UV degradation, vibration fatigue. These work continuously on every component of an unattended offshore platform. On a manned vessel, a trained eye catches early signs. On a USV operating weeks from a service team, nothing does.
An uncrewed platform cannot call for maintenance
Stainless steel construction and solid-state sensors are not the premium configuration. They are the minimum credible specification for autonomous marine deployment.
Technical
insight
insight
Why capacitive level sensing works where float sensors fail at sea
Gill capacitive level sensors use an outer tube and inner rod immersed in the liquid. Measurement happens inside the probe, where liquid enters through small holes at the base. At the bottom of the tank, turbulence is at its minimum even in heavy sea states. No moving parts. No exposed surfaces. No mechanism for wave action to disturb the reading.
This is not a marginal improvement. It is a fundamentally different approach to the problem.
Products for USV applications
Measurement instruments built for the uncrewed marine environment.
Wind sensing from Gill Instruments. Liquid level and position sensing from Gill Sensors and Controls. Full group capability from one UK supplier.
Precision marine & DP systems
WindObserver
The marine anemometer commercial operators and navies specify
Hazardous areas: WindObserver IS is ATEX, IECEx and UKEX intrinsically safe for offshore platforms and naval vessels.
Stainless steel construction, no moving parts, Lloyds Register approved and used in dynamic positioning systems across the global fleet. When a reading cannot be completed in extreme conditions, WindObserver delivers a status code rather than a corrupted value.
Wind speed0–75 m/s
Construction316 stainless steel
ProtectionIP66
Operating temp−55°C to +70°C
ApprovalsLloyds, ATEX, IECEx, UKEX (IS)
Compact USV & unmanned platforms
WindUltra
Gill's most compact and robust anemometer
Ideal for unmanned vehicles where space and weight are constrained and conditions are not. Tested to IP69k: pressurised wash-down, hammer impact, shock, vibration, dust, altitude.
Wind speed0–75 m/s
ProtectionIP69k, IP68, IP66
Moving partsNone
OutputRS485, Modbus, NMEA, SDI-12
Buoys & long-range deployments
WindSonic
Fit-and-forget reliability across marine networks
When the platform is a fixed buoy, a remote monitoring station or a cost-sensitive network deployment, WindSonic is the sensor that has earned its place. Compact, lightweight, WMO-compliant, no scheduled maintenance. Fitted to over 100 Watchkeeper buoys across global marine networks.
Wind speed0–75 m/s
Moving partsNone
ApprovalsLloyds, CCS, ABS Product Design Assessment
Marine USV & buoy weather station
MaxiMet Marine GMX260 / GMX560
True wind on a moving, pitching, rolling platform
A standard anemometer gives you relative wind. On a moving USV, that is not enough information. MaxiMet Marine uses a 6-axis compass to correct for tilt on every reading, then combines vessel heading and GPS speed to compute true wind automatically. No separate processing. No additional software.
ProtectionIP68 and IP66
Compass6-axis (pitch, roll, heading)
ParametersWind, temp, humidity, pressure
True windComputed internally via optional GPS
Power25mA at 12VDC
Fuel & fluid level for commercial USV
LevelLite / LevelPro
Capacitive level sensing that works in rough water
No float. Measurement inside the probe at the base of the tank where turbulence is lowest. NMEA compatible for direct integration with vessel management systems. ±1% @ 50% FSD 20°C of tank depth regardless of sea state.
Accuracy±1% @ 50% FSD 20°C
TechnologyCapacitive, no float
FluidsFuel, oil, water, coolant
ProtectionIP68 / IP66
Defence & naval marine craft
LevelDefend
Custom-engineered for military and naval USV programmes
Used in systems that have then been subjected to military standards. High-grade anodised aluminium construction. Factory calibrated. Temperature compensated. No moving parts.
StandardsCan be designed to meet DEF STAN / MIL STD
ConstructionHigh-grade anodised aluminium
Moving partsNone
CalibrationFactory calibrated, temp compensated
Steering, thrusters & control surfaces
Blade Position Sensors
Non-contact induction position sensing
For autonomous steering, thruster nacelle position, fin stabilisers and control surface actuation. No mechanical wear. Unlimited service life. Suitable for submersible installation on hull and thruster assemblies.
TechnologyNon-contact induction
Moving partsNone
ProtectionSubmersible rated
Mechanical lifeUnlimited
Not sure which sensor fits your USV programme?
Share the platform, mission profile and integration requirements. We'll confirm the right specification across wind, level and position sensing.
Get application helpProven in service
What this looks like at sea.
Case study 01 / Global fleet
WindObserver in DP systems
WindObserver was specified for its high acquisition rate, which allows disturbed readings to be discarded without interrupting the data stream.
In DP applications, the system acting on bad data is more dangerous than the system acting on no data.
Case study 02 / UK and Ireland
WindSonic on 100+ Watchkeeper buoys
Continuous wind monitoring across one of the most exposed stretches of open water in the northern hemisphere, with no scheduled maintenance access and no tolerance for sensor dropout. Those buoys have recorded wave heights exceeding 20 metres in service. The sensors kept measuring.
When the 100th buoy was commissioned, it went to a major LNG terminal in Uruguay. The same sensor. A different ocean. The same result.
Case study 03 / Five-rotor-sail VLOC
WindObserver and MetConnect on rotor-sail fleet
Aenomoi fitted five rotor sails to a Very Large Ore Carrier targeting up to 30% fuel reduction. Rotor sails only deliver that performance when they know precisely what the wind is doing in real time.
Two Gill WindObserver anemometers and a MetConnect weather station were specified to provide the continuous data the rotor control system needs.
Case study 04 / Safety alerting
WindSonic integrated with VesselWatch
VesselWatch monitors live wind conditions and transmits radio alerts to crews when speed or direction approaches a dangerous threshold.
WindSonic was chosen because the measurement requirement is unambiguous: 0–60 m/s across a full 360° arc, continuous operation, no maintenance dependency.
System integration
Built to talk to your systems. Not the other way around.
Gill marine sensors support NMEA 0183, RS422/RS485, RS232 and analogue outputs as standard. WindObserver and WindSonic integrate directly with dynamic positioning systems, vessel management platforms and autonomous navigation stacks.
For naval and defence USV programmes, LevelDefend sensors have been used in systems that have then been subjected to military standards, with custom output protocols and connector formats available. Gill R&D provides embedded software and systems integration support where programmes require it.
Output protocols
- NMEA 0183Wind sensors
- RS422 / 485WindObserver
- 0–5V AnalogueLevel sensors
- Defence / navalCustom protocols via Gill R&D
Frequently asked questions
Specifying sensors for USV programmes.
Because the sea is never flat, and float sensors were never designed with that in mind. A conventional float sits on the surface of the liquid inside the tank. When the vessel is underway, the liquid becomes turbulent and the float moves with it.
Gill capacitive sensors solve this at the point of physics. Measurement takes place inside the probe where turbulence is at its lowest regardless of conditions above.
Yes. WindObserver holds Lloyds Register approval and is used by commercial marine operators and national navies in dynamic positioning systems across the global fleet. The intrinsically safe WindObserver IS holds IECEx, ATEX and UKEX certification for hazardous area installation.
Yes, without custom engineering in most cases. WindObserver, WindSonic, WindUltra and MaxiMet output NMEA 0183 as standard, making them directly compatible with the majority of vessel management systems and dynamic positioning platforms.
For naval and defence programmes requiring non-standard protocols, Gill R&D provides embedded software and systems integration support.
WindObserver is constructed from 316 grade stainless steel for long-term marine deployment. Rated to IP66, operates across −55°C to +70°C, available with a high-power heating option for icing conditions. No scheduled maintenance from normal operation.
WindSonic has been proven in service through wave heights exceeding 20 metres on deployed buoy networks.
Yes. LevelDefend sensors are custom-engineered for military marine craft and naval USV programmes. WindObserver IS is certified for ATEX, IECEx and UKEX hazardous area installation. WindUltra has been tested to IP69k including shock and vibration profiles.
For standard deployments, almost none from normal operation. All Gill wind and level sensors are solid-state with no moving parts. No mechanical components to wear, no calibration intervals triggered by moving part degradation, no consumables to replace.
On an uncrewed vessel operating far offshore, maintenance burden is a programme risk. Gill removes it.
WindObserver: Precision marine anemometer for demanding and critical applications with low temperature and de-icing capability. Dynamic positioning, naval vessels, commercial marine, offshore hazardous areas.
WindUltra: Gill's most compact anemometer, designed from the ground up for unmanned vehicles where platform size, weight budget and survivability are the constraints.
WindSonic: The right choice for fixed buoys, remote monitoring networks and long-range unattended deployments where cost, low power draw and fit-and-forget reliability are the primary requirements.
Yes. Gill Group combines Gill Instruments, Gill Sensors and Controls, Gill R&D and Labcal into a single UK supplier relationship. Wind measurement, liquid level sensing, position sensing, custom embedded systems development and UKAS-accredited calibration are all available from one group.
WindObserver operates across −30°C to +70°C as standard and is available with a high-power heating option for icing conditions. The ultrasonic measurement principle means there are no moving parts to freeze, seize or accumulate ice in ways that affect measurement accuracy.
Need certification or custom protocol detail?
NMEA 0183, RS422/485, DEF STAN, ATEX/IECEx, bespoke connector formats. Gill R&D handles embedded software and systems integration where programmes require it.
Request technical infoWhy Gill
Six reasons USV programmes choose Gill.
01
Full group capability from one UK supplier
Wind measurement, liquid level sensing, position sensing, R&D consultancy and UKAS-accredited calibration.
02
No moving parts. No scheduled maintenance
Ultrasonic wind sensing. Capacitive level sensing. Inductive position sensing. None of it needs lubrication or worn-part replacement.
03
Proven at sea for four decades
WindObserver in DP systems across the global fleet. WindSonic on over 100 buoys. Level sensors in commercial marine, powerboat racing and military craft.
04
Built for the marine environment
Options for different housing materials and IP66, IP67, IP68 and IP69k ingress protection ratings, all suitable for marine. Product designs for corrosive marine environments.
05
The approvals already held
Lloyds Register. ATEX. IECEx. UKEX.
06
UK designed and manufactured
All Gill sensors designed and built in Lymington, Hampshire. King's Award for Enterprise. Operating in 150 countries.
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