R2Sonic Establishes Global Headquarters in Austin, Texas
20 March 2013
R2Sonic LLC, a leading sonar technology company, today announced it is establishing new company headquarters in Austin, Texas.
Over the last few years we've stretched our critical resources as far as we can - both our employees and our manufacturing facilities, said President Jens R. Steenstrup. To keep up with global demand, and to continue to focus on our customers needs, it became clear that we must move R2Sonic to another strategic location.
R2Sonic industry-leading multibeam echosounder sonar products are used all over the globe to gain high-resolution 3D survey models of underwater areas. R2Sonic clients include renewable energy, oil and gas, construction, among other industries. Survey models are critical for ensuring the safety of offshore and shipping installations, monitoring fish habitats and archeological sites, and rebuilding after natural disasters.
Demand for R2Sonic sonar products has quadrupled in the past three years.
In Austin, R2Sonic will occupy an advanced high technology manufacturing facility in Oak Hill, which triples the square-footage footprint of their former facility in Santa Barbara, California. The new manufacturing facility and corporate offices will allow R2Sonic to continue to lead sonar technology innovation, meet growing product demand and provide the industry's best customer service.
Steenstrup added that Austin is the ideal location for tapping into the dynamic high technology community and the world-class sonar research center at the Applied Research Labs at the University of Texas. He plans to recruit additional engineering talent in 2013.
It was just as important to keep providing our employees a great place to work, added Steenstrup. We value our team and physically expanding and hiring in 2013 means we can remain a productive, happy family.
Ultra-High Resolution option for Sonic 2024
16 April 2012
The Sonic 2024 is now offered with option to provide extremely narrow 0.3° across track x 0.6° along track beam widths at 700 kHz whilst retaining the ability to select normal survey frequencies from 200 kHz 400 kHz.
The unprecedented narrow beam widths and 700 kHz operation combined 60 kHz signal processing over all frequency ranges provide the highest resolution available for any commercial shallow water multibeam echo sounder and make this option invaluable for detail offshore site survey such as pipeline inspections, cable laying operations or other micro bathymetry applications.
The Ultra-High Resolution option for Sonic 2024 offers outstanding value and is available for new system purchases or for existing customer unit through an additional projector and firmware upgrade.
Embient Web Article: "Testimonial CO2 Leakage"
October 2011
The 2024 was used to detect CO2 leaks emanating from the seafloor, taking advantage of the water column imaging capabilities of the 2024. The article appears on Embient's Web site.
Sea Technology Magazine Article: "High-Resolution Echosounder Survey In Villefranche Bay"
April 19, 2011
The article, "High-Resolution Echosounder Survey In Villefranche Bay", appears in the April 2011 issue of Sea Technology Magazine where the Sonic 2024 was utilized to survey Villefranche Bay in France. Géoazur Laboratory and Cadden carried out the survey. See the article in Sea Technology Magazine.
Jesper Højdal joins R2Sonic as Sr. Hydrographic Support Engineer
November 15, 2010
R2Sonic is pleased to announce Mr. Jesper Højdal has accepted contract position as Sr. Hydrographic Support Engineer.
Jesper has over 35 years of professional maritime experience and has been a Hydrographic Surveyor since 1988. After graduation with IHO Cat A Certificate from the Royal Navy Hydrographic School in Plymouth UK in 1991, Jesper became a Naval Officer, where he was Commanding Officer for Danish Hydrographic Survey Vessels in Denmark and Greenland. Jesper is currently founder and Managing Director of HydroCharting, a Survey Project Consultancy and hydrographic training and support firm.
As Sr. Hydrographic Support Engineer, Jesper will be based in Denmark and provide support for R2Sonic growing Customer base and Distributors throughout Europe. HydroCharting will continue as independent project consultancy, providing additional value to clients and vendors alike.
Jesper provides considerable knowledge and experience using a range of multibeam systems and peripheral equipment. The combined expert level capabilities and experience that both Jesper Hjdal and Charles Brennan bring to R2Sonic Support is among the highest in our Industry and builds upon our goal to provide the most compelling value to Customers in all facets of our business.
Successful Sonic Technology Forum & Oi10 Conference in London
March 12, 2010
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R2Sonic LLC, the leading manufacturer of innovative Wideband Multibeam Echo Sounders, held its first Sonic Technology Forum at the Club Quarters, Trafalgar Square London, UK. Attendees from 25 different countries were present to hear a variety of guest speakers and end user presentations including:
This event not only met but exceeded our expectations for our first Sonic Technology Forum, commented Jens Steenstrup, President of R2Sonic LLC. The quality of speaker presentations, attendees, and networking opportunities made this a significant educational event for our industry. R2Sonic would like to thank all of our guest speakers and the many attendees who helped make our first Sonic Technology Forum a great success. The Oceanology International Conference which followed on March 9-11, was another huge success for R2Sonic. Hundreds of attendees visited the R2Sonic stand over three days of Conference to learn more about Sonic Wideband Systems and Technology. During the Conference, Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys UK in partnership with R2Sonic, held on-the-water demonstrations using Aspects newly acquired Sonic 2024 system onboard their vessel Remote Sensor. R2Sonic would like to give a special thanks to Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys UK for their support and professionalism during the Sonic 2024 demonstrations. We are proud to have them as our first customer in the UK.
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R2Sonic Unveils New Features for Sonic Wideband Multibeam
February 26, 2010
Since début in April 2009, the Sonic Wideband Multibeam Echo Sounder Systems have received acceptance and acclaim, offering truly unique and innovative technology from a broad spectrum of users worldwide.
R2Sonic is pleased to announce yet another groundbreaking innovation with the implementation of Swath Sector Rotation (SSR™) capability to the Sonic line of Wideband Multibeam Echo Sounder systems.
The Swath Sector Rotation (SSR™) feature provides the ability for the Surveyor to use the computer's mouse cursor to change the opening angle AND, using the same mouse cursor, to rotate the concentrated beams either port or starboard within a 160° sector. As with existing capability to change the swath sector from as narrow as 10° to as broad as 160° with all beams focused in the selected sector, changes made to rotate the swath sector parameters are also instantaneous, with no data gaps resulting in no loss of survey data.
This feature allows the surveyor to easily and rapidly change the beam concentration and to take the concentrated beams, with their associated high definition, and direct them toward the feature or object they wish to map - be it vertical surface or an object on the sea floor.
In addition to this first of its kind innovation for multibeam echo sounders, R2Sonic has added roll stabilization and equi-distant mode of operation features which may also be changed on-the-fly with no loss of survey data along with an improved graphic user interface (GUI) to Sonic Wideband Multibeam systems.
The new features form an upgrade to existing systems through a simple firmware download and are incorporated in new system deliveries.
R2Sonic Worldwide Demonstrations: High Turnout & Strong Sales
November 15, 2009
 From Coastal Netherlands  Mediterranean  and Baltic Sea |
Over the past months, R2Sonic and our Global Partners have had huge turnouts in Sonic Wideband Multibeam System demonstrations around the World. From Brest Harbour to Rotterdam, Genoa, Ravenna, Copenhagen, Gdynia, Cape Town to New York, Seattle to Pearl Harbor, Singapore, Tianjin, Yangtze River to Tokyo Bay and other points in between, customers around the world have been impressed with Sonic 2024 performance as demonstrated in their local environments. Participants have included full range of Hydrographic users from major Hydrographic & Military Offices, Offshore and Dredging Contractors, Oil and Gas Companies, Telecoms, Maritime Academies, Universities and Research Organizations, Port Authorities to Engineering and Survey Companies. The worldwide exposure has provided the unique opportunity to demonstrate Sonic 2024 high performance capabilities over vastly different complex environments and depths on many types of survey vessels of opportunity. A great variety of Sonic demos have been performed from shallow breakwater surveys, channel surveys in brackish estuarine environments, port surveys, post dredge surveys following suction dredger, pipeline free-span detection surveys to 180m depths, cable surveys, harbour surveys over rocky outcrops to surveying high slope oceanic shelf areas to 400m depths in challenging sea states. "Participants have been particularly impressed with the Sonic 2024 overall flexibility as a survey tool over other commercially available multibeam systems" stated R2Sonic VP Sales, Cris Sabo. The combination of frequency and swath agility, simplicity of operation, reliability and high quality data output is now widely proven and translated in strong system sales to customers over five Continents. Every demonstration has been a success and global sales over past eight months since Sonic Wideband Multibeam System launch have exceeded our expectations. Customers are even trading in fully functional competitor multibeam systems with purchase of new Sonic systems. It's been remarkable to see so much interest and achieve acceptance for our products in such a short period of time. |
 To the South Atlantic  North Pacific  and the Yangtze... |
R2Sonic Demonstrates the Sonic 2024 at U.S. Hydro 2009 Conference, Norfolk, VA
May 15, 2009
R2Sonic, in partnership with Substructure, Inc., demonstrated the Sonic 2024 Wideband Multibeam system during the U.S. Hydro 2009 Conference in Norfolk Virginia, May 12-14.
Over 90 attendees throughout the United States participated in the U.S. market debut. Over 20 individual demo outings were performed during the conference, with several groups even staying on after the conference to get hands on experience operating the Sonic 2024 system.
Participants included multiple US Army Corp of Engineer Districts, NOAA, US NAVOCEANO as well as a broad spectrum of private survey and engineering companies throughout the United States.
The Sonic 2024 was integrated with the IXSEA PHINS Inertial Navigation System and trialed using both QINSy and Hypack software. The Sonic 2024 system was mounted by Substructure, Inc. through-hull moon pool arrangement on the S/V Orion survey vessel.
During the demonstration, a survey route was set up in the Elizabeth River which included a single survey pass under the Interstate 264 highway bridge, with an up-slope shoreline pass and continued survey out into the dredge channel. When surveying under the bridge, the Sonic 2024 wide swath coverage of 160° was selected to achieve soundings high up the bridge abutment columns. A few seconds later, the swath sector was narrowed down to 30° at higher frequency to increase soundings over small scale features along the shoreline. Once in the dredge channel, the survey speed was increased to 14-15 knots with a 130-140° swath sector to demonstrate Sonic 2024 ability to obtain a solid lock on bottom over entire swath with clean productive data, even at these high survey speeds.
During a multibeam echo sounder demonstration at industry conference, its rare to have multiple clients provide purchase orders directly from the demo boat after seeing system for the first time. Yet that is what we were able to achieve, stated R2Sonic VP Sales Cris Sabo. The system really speaks for itself. When you combine state-of-the-art technology, maximum survey flexibility, with clean, reliable data to perform a variety of jobs more effectively and efficiently, clients can truly appreciate the benefits of the system and its overall value.
For additional bathymetry imagery from the Norfolk demonstration and other surveys, see our gallery page.
R2Sonic Demonstrates the Sonic 2024 at Ocean Business Southampton, U.K.
April 2, 2009
Over 100 attendees from 20 countries around the world turned out to see our next generation Sonic 2024 Wideband Multibeam Echosounder system demonstration at Ocean Business Conference in Southampton UK, March 31-April 1st. Participants included hydrographic survey companies and governmental agencies, offshore survey companies, oil company representatives, equipment distributors as well as universities, research organizations and students.
The Sonic 2024 was integrated with the Applanix POS-MV 320 m4 Inertial Navigation System, Valeport MiniSVS sound velocity probe and demonstrated using both QPS QINSy and EIVA A/S software. Participants were able to view system operation over multiple frequencies in the 200 kHz to 400 kHz frequency range, as well as swath width selections from 10° to 160°, all 'on the fly' during trial surveys. Many participants commented on the compact size, ease of use and overall flexibility of the Sonic 2024 to optimize to a wide variety of survey requirements and environments.
We wish to thank all of the attendees who participated in our demonstration and Osiris Projects UK who provided the excellent crew and demo platform aboard the S/V LIA. We wish to thank Applanix Corp, Valeport, Hemisphere GPS, QPS, and EIVA A/S for their support with ancillary systems and software.
R2Sonic Appoints New European Distributors
February 19, 2009
R2Sonic is pleased to announce the appointment of new authorized European distributors for sales and technical support of Sonic Series broadband multibeam echosounder systems.
CADDEN, in Nantes, has been appointed authorized distributor for France. Cadden specializes in high-accuracy measurement, positioning and survey systems covering a wide variety of applications from Hydrography, Oceanography, Navigation, Guidance and mobile GIS solutions. Cadden's staff includes experienced sales, support, engineering and software specialists with capabilities to provide turn-key integrated multibeam survey solutions including comprehensive training, maintenance support as well as rental equipment services.
ENAMOR, in Gdansk, has been appointed authorized distributor in Poland. ENAMOR offers a wide range of navigation, communication, ship propulsion and ship automation systems as well as specialized hydrographic and oceanographic equipment, including advanced multibeam sonar products. Enamor is well known in Poland as a superior supplier of high quality sonar solutions with a highly experienced and capable professional staff.
SEABED B.V., in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, has been appointed as an authorized distributor in the Benelux region. Seabed provides turn-key hydrographic and oceanographic solutions with focus in positioning, data acquisition, bathymetric survey, bottom sampling and telemetric equipment and solutions for the offshore and onshore markets.
SCANSURVEY, in Ishoej, Denmark, has been appointed authorized
distributor for Denmark, Sweden and Finland.
Mr. Jesper Hoejdal, the
Director of ScanSurvey, was instrumental in providing senior level hydrographic
field support and training services for Reson for nearly a decade until his
departure from the company in 2004. In addition to supporting our Sonic
Series Broadband Multibeam systems, ScanSurvey offers associated
hardware/software support, expert consultancy and training courses in hydrographic
disciplines with extensive experience in all modern survey techniques.
STEMA SYSTEMS, in Geldermaulsen, the Netherlands, has been appointed as an authorized distributor in the Benelux region. Stema Systems provides specialized products and integrated hardware and software solutions for the dredging industry. While we maintain direct relationships with Global dredging companies headquartered in the region, Stema offers a well qualified convenient local source of supply with back-up systems support and maintenance capabilities.
GEOMATICS CENTRE, in Moscow, has been appointed an authorized distributor for Russia. Established in 1996, Geomatics Centre offers a wide range of quality underwater hydrographic acoustic and imaging systems with focus on the Russian offshore sector. In addition to product supply and support, Geomatics Center is the authorized Hypack survey software representative and has successfully organized Hypack workshops in Russia since 2001.
Ann Douglas Joins R2Sonic as VP of Operations
July 2, 2008
Ann T. Douglas has joined R2Sonic in the capacity as Vice President of Operations. "It is a great pleasure to join R2Sonic and, once again, work with the team that created the first portable commercial shallow water multibeam echosounder systems".
Ann has over 20 years experience in operations in domestic and multi-national corporations. Most recently, Ann was Director of Operations for Iconix Video, Inc., a leading manufacturer of advanced high-definition camera systems. At Iconix, Ann implemented manufacturing and inventory controls that allowed inventory values to be reduced by 27% while increasing on-time delivery performance.
Prior to Iconix, Ann spent four years as VP Operations for Reson, Inc. While at Reson, Ann was instrumental in implementing the strategic overhaul of the company's supply chain. This resulted in the delivery of standard sonar products within 3 weeks lead time, with unsurpassed product quality and shipment accuracy.
"At R2Sonic, I look forward to building operational capacity to deliver and support sonar systems deliverable with short lead times, while maintaining the highest level of quality control. The simplicity and flexibility of the Sonic sonar architecture, combined with our innovative lean manufacturing model, will allow us to efficiently scale the business to meet the objectives of delivering production sonars with short lead times and shipment accuracy that surpasses what we were able to achieve in the past".
Charles Brennan Joins R2Sonic as Chief Hydrographic Engineer
April 22, 2008
"I am very pleased to be back with the team that puts the customer first and is dedicated to customer support. I look forward to the challenge of creating and developing the support and training department to the same high standards that the R2Sonic team established under previous ventures."
Mr. Charles Brennan has joined R2Sonic in the capacity as Chief Hydrographic Engineer.
Charles has over 35 years survey experience and has served as Survey Project Manager and Senior Contract Hydrographer for some of the worlds largest offshore survey & engineering firms including Oceaneering International, Brown & Root Survey, SubSea Survey, Fugro Survey and Wimpol Ltd. UK.
For the last 10 years, Charles was the Senior Hydrographer for Reson, Inc. where he was responsible for the installation, training and support for all multibeam systems, auxiliary supplied equipment and software suites to customers throughout Asia.
More information and highlights of Charles career can be found online.
As Chief Hydrographic Engineer, Charles is responsible for the development of the support and training department at R2Sonic.
Switchable Forward Looking Option
April 14, 2008
R2Sonic is pleased to announce the incorporation of a Switchable Forward Looking Sonar (FLS) Imaging Option to the Sonic 2024 Broadband Multibeam Echosounder Systems.
When enabled, the option allows the user to easily switch from operating the Sonic 2024 in a bathymetric profiling mode which projects a narrow 1° along-track beam, to an imaging mode which projects a wide 22° vertical beam. In imaging mode the operator will see a plan view ahead of the sonar in real time.
The Switchable option can be useful for a number of different operations. As application needs change, the Sonic 2024 asset can serve multiple functions.
- Offshore Applications: On underwater vehicles, the sonar can be mounted on a tilt table. When oriented horizontally it is used for obstacle avoidance and search.
- When pointed downward, it is used to precisely map the ocean bottom. The underwater vehicles can range from ROV, AUV, Pipe or Cable Burial Plough, Excavator, etc.
- Dredging Applications: Realtime control of dredging and mining operations where there's a need to scan volume in addition to making precise bottom maps.
- Defense Applications: Harbor mapping tool in peace time, intruder and mine detection sonar in times of threat.
- Research Applications: Volumetric mapping, behavior tracking and monitoring pelagic fish schools or marine mammals in the water column.
R2Sonic Débuts at Oceanology International
March 11-13, 2008
R2Sonic débuted their Sonic 2024 Multibeam Echosounder at Oceanology International in London.
The fifth generation multibeam system, the Sonic 2024, generated intense interest at the show. "Having participated in many Oceanology conferences for various companies over the years, this was by far the most exciting and beneficial in which I have personally participated" stated company VP Sales, Cris Sabo. "The sheer numbers of genuinely interested potential customers that stopped by our booth to learn more about our company and the Sonic 2024 Multibeam Echosounder was absolutely remarkable. Not only did we exceeded our expectations in terms of Sonic 2024 system orders directly from the show, we also exceeded them in terms of setting up our initial distribution network and in forging new business relationships. We wish to thank the OI organizers and the many people who visited our stand for making this a huge success."
R2Sonic Launches New Broadband Multibeam Echosounder
March 10, 2008
R2Sonic, LLC, of Santa Barbara, California U.S.A., is pleased to announce the introduction of our fifth generation Sonic 2024 Broadband Multibeam Echosounder system.
With the launch of the Sonic 2024, R2Sonic sets out to redefine the multibeam market with unparallel performance and value to the customer.
The Sonic 2024 provides users maximum survey flexibility with selectable wideband frequencies from 200kHz to 400kHz from a Vessel, ROV or AUV. The advanced system architecture, with embedded processor and controller, eliminates bulky processors and interface bottles. Its low weight, volume and power requirements also make it an ideal system for incorporation to a wide variety of AUV platforms.
The focused 0.5° x 1° beamwidths, coupled with ultra high 60kHz signal bandwidth, provide unprecedented resolution over bottom features and imagery. The Sonic 2024 provides 130° horizontal swath coverage and may be provided in dual head configuration which operates at full system ping rates, enabling faster survey speeds and reducing survey time and costs.
Cris Sabo Joins R2Sonic as VP of Sales
March 3, 2008
We are very pleased to announce that Cris Sabo has joined R2Sonic as Vice President of Sales. Having more than 15 years of sales experience, Cris brings to the company his hands on knowledge of multibeam systems and experience of the maritime industry. Cris was most recently Vice President of Sales for Reson from 2001 to 2008, where he played a major role in business development in the Americas and Asia Pacific Region.
Cris is responsible for sales development of the R2Sonic line of fifth generation state of the art Multibeam Echosounder systems worldwide.
High Resolution Broadband Multibeam Systems for: |
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Hydrographic |
Offshore |
Dredging |
Defense |
Environmental |
Research |