NORBIT WINGHEAD B43

A 1,500 m depth-rated WINGHEAD sonar for subsea vehicle integration and high-resolution bathymetry. Its compact curved array supports ROV and AUV installations, pipeline inspection and structure surveys while providing roll stabilisation and multiple backscatter outputs.

Detailed ROV and AUV inspection

WINGHEAD B43 is designed for high-resolution bathymetry from underwater vehicles, with a 1,500 m housing depth rating. Pipeline, cable and subsea structure surveys require the sonar observations to be matched with vehicle position and attitude. The integrated sound-speed probe measures conditions at the sonar; a separate water-column profile may also be needed. The housing rating describes the depth of the instrument, not its acoustic distance to the seabed.

Applications and survey workflow

Bathymetric data supports harbour maintenance, dredging assessment, route surveys and the inspection of submerged infrastructure. Survey line spacing and frequency are selected to balance feature definition, coverage and the expected water depth.

Before mobilisation, the survey team defines the coordinate system, vertical reference and required deliverables. Mounting geometry, sensor offsets and time synchronisation are checked as one installation. Positioning quality, vessel motion and sound-speed conditions are reviewed during acquisition so that the final dataset can be assessed against the project specification.

Integration and deliverables

The selected hardware and software configuration determines the available outputs and interfaces. A practical workflow includes installation checks, a trial line, field quality control and documented processing. Depending on the sensor, deliverables may include a bathymetric surface, an inspection image, a point cloud or an interpreted sediment profile. Kordil can evaluate the platform, operating environment and intended use when defining the system configuration.

Technical specifications

Frequency	400 kHz nominal; 200–700 kHz
Acoustic depth range	0.2 m to over 500 m
Housing depth rating	1,500 m
Beam width	0.5° × 0.9° @ 400 kHz; 0.3° × 0.5° @ 700 kHz
Beams / sector	256 / 512 / 1024; 5–210°
Resolution / ping rate	<10 mm; Up to 60 Hz
Weight, excluding bracket	In air 9.0 kg; in water 5.9 kg
Power / interface	75 W; 10–28 VDC; Ethernet

Specifications follow the original manufacturer brochure PS-230006-3. Acoustic range is distinct from housing depth rating. Options and operating conditions affect achievable performance.

Technical brochure

NORBIT WINGHEAD B43 original technical brochure — English PDF (PS-230006-3)