Autonomy Global has published a feature on CHCNAV's Apache unmanned surface vehicle (USV) series, following an interview with CHCNAV Technical Support Engineer Tristen Denton at GeoWeek 2026. The article highlights how the Apache fleet brings high-end hydrographic surveying to environments that are too shallow, too hazardous, or too difficult to survey with manned vessels.
GeoWeek 2026 brought together the global geospatial community in Denver, and CHCNAV was one of the few exhibitors presenting working maritime USVs on the show floor. Three Apache models were on display side by side, giving attendees a direct view of how the lineup scales from compact shallow-water platforms to full offshore survey systems.
Apache USV Models at GeoWeek
Apache 3 Pro is a compact single-beam USV built for shallow-water bathymetric surveys in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and nearshore zones. It pairs CHCNAV GNSS RTK and inertial navigation with an integrated echo sounder, and includes millimeter-wave radar for automatic obstacle detection. Use cases include basic depth mapping, volume calculations for ponds and pits, and search and rescue operations in confined or difficult-to-access areas.
Apache 4 Pro is a multi-purpose platform bridging hydrographic surveying and riverine hydrology. It supports a wide range of acoustic sensors including ADCPs, multibeam echo sounders, side-scan sonar, and water-quality probes. River authorities and dam operators already rely on this model for flow measurement, long-term discharge monitoring, and repeated scans of eroding banks and shorelines.
Apache 6 is CHCNAV's largest platform, optimized for NORBIT multibeam echo sounders and designed for high-resolution bathymetry and 3D mapping in coastal, harbor, and offshore environments. An optional LiDAR payload enables simultaneous above-and-below water data capture in a single pass, making it well suited for bridge surveys, quay inspections, and complex offshore construction support.
Left: CHCNAV Technical Support Engineer Tristen Denton with the Apache 6 USV, the company’s largest vessel, at GeoWeek 2026. Right: Apache 3 Pro, Apache 4 Pro, and Apache 6 on display at GeoWeek 2026. Images: Autonomy Global.
A key theme throughout the Autonomy Global coverage is safety. The Apache series is designed to keep survey crews away from hazardous conditions: tailings ponds, turbid dredging sites, debris-filled channels, and other environments where deploying a manned vessel carries unnecessary risk. By replacing crew exposure with remote or autonomous operation, the Apache fleet makes it practical to collect high-quality data in conditions that would otherwise be inaccessible or unsafe.
CHCNAV's presence at GeoWeek reflected a broader shift in the geospatial industry, where water-based survey workflows are increasingly moving toward unmanned platforms. For survey firms, river authorities, and marine contractors, the Apache series provides a scalable path to bring hydrographic work in-house with consistent, repeatable results.
CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) develops advanced mapping, navigation and positioning solutions designed to increase productivity and efficiency. Serving industries such as geospatial, construction, agriculture, and autonomy, CHCNAV delivers innovative technologies that empower professionals and drive industry advancement. With a global presence spanning over 140 countries and a team of more than 2,000 professionals, CHC Navigation is recognised as a leader in the geospatial industry and beyond. For more information, visit www.chcnav.com.
