RIPTIDE

USV H/V ESAD

TRL-7Submitted to WSESRBPatent Pending

A High Voltage ESAD optimized for rapid integration into Unmanned Surface Vessels. Provides an autopilot-compatible arming and firing solution for high reliability and cost-sensitive expendable missions with full MIL-STD-1316F compliance.

Overview

The RIPTIDE USV H/V ESAD is purpose-built for controlled detonation across a wide range of USV platforms. It provides an autopilot-compatible arming and firing solution using High Voltage Exploding Bridgewire (EBW) detonators, which offer superior safety characteristics over conventional low-voltage systems by eliminating sensitive primary explosives.

The system separates safety controls from the ESAD enclosure via an LED Breakout Board, enabling vehicle-agnostic integration with custom interface options. All LED sequencing is visible on both the breakout board and the operator's display for full situational awareness.

System Components

LED Breakout Board

1.Status LED Display
2.Connector to ESAD Enclosure
3.Safety Toggle Switch 1
4.Safety Toggle Switch 2

ESAD Enclosure

1.H/V Output
2.USV Input — Power / ARM / DET
3.Status Output to USV
4.LED Breakout Connector

ESAD Board

1.Breakout Board Connector
2.LED Status Display
3.Fuzing (DET output / DET input)
4.Power / Arm Input Connector
5.Safety 1 & Safety 2 Connector
6.H/V Capacitor
7.H/V EBW Output Connector

Key Features

Separated ESAD Enclosure + LED Breakout Board for flexible safety control placement

Vehicle-agnostic design with custom interface boxes

Supports Teledyne RP-500 series EBW detonators

LED Breakout Board with full state indication and digital/IP status output

2 physical safety toggle switches with procedural interlock

Analog & FPGA architecture for enhanced reliability

Adjustable Safe Separation Timer (default 10 min) and End of Mission Timer (default 72 hr)

60-minute ARM timer with automatic render-safe on expiration

MIL-STD-1316F compliant safety gates

Autopilot-compatible arming and firing interface

Specifications

Readiness Level	TRL-7
Architecture	Analog & FPGA
Detonators	Teledyne RP-500 series EBW
Platform	Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV)
Compliance	MIL-STD-1316F
Review Status	Submitted to WSESRB
H/V Charge Time	~0.6 seconds
H/V Discharge Time	~0.7 seconds
Safe Separation Timer	10 minutes (adjustable)
End of Mission Timer	72 hours (adjustable)
ARM Timer	60 minutes
Post DET Timer	15 seconds
Initial Production	100 units / 6 weeks
Scale Production	1,000+ units / 16 weeks

Operational Sequence

1Start-Up & Priming

Power on USV and perform function checks. Steady green LED confirms system ready.

Insert EBW or connect to H/V output. Toggle Safety 1 to RUN (green LED flashes), then Safety 2 to RUN to start Safe Separation Timer and End of Mission timer.

LEDs flash blue and green during the 10-minute SST. Once elapsed, solid blue and green indicates ESAD is ready to ARM.

2Arming

Activate ARM1 and ARM2 inputs on the USV C2 to arm the ESAD. H/V capacitor charges in ~0.6 seconds.

Red LED indicates capacitor charged. Solid red, flashing blue, and solid green signifies the 60-minute ARM timer is active.

Operator can disarm at any time by deactivating ARM1/ARM2. The capacitor discharges in ~0.7 seconds and the red LED deactivates.

3Detonation

Upon fuzing or command detonation initiation, the ESAD fires the EBW. The system attempts to fire for 15 seconds.

After the Post DET timer elapses, the system automatically renders safe.

4Error / Render Safe

The ESAD automatically renders safe upon expiration of the End of Mission timer (72 hr), ARM timer (60 min), or Post DET timer (15 sec).

In the error/render-safe state, the capacitor is discharged and incapable of recharging. Solid green and yellow LEDs indicate this state.

The ESAD must be power cycled to clear the error state. Multiple procedural safeties prevent accidental arming on power-up.

LED Status Indicators

State	LED Pattern
System Ready	Steady green
Safety 1 Engaged	Flashing green
Safe Separation Timer Active	Flashing blue + green
Ready to ARM	Solid blue + solid green
Charging	Solid blue + flashing green
Capacitor Charged	Red on
Armed (Timer Active)	Solid red + flashing blue + solid green
Firing (Training)	Solid white
Error / Render Safe	Solid green + yellow

Integration

Vehicle Agnostic

Custom interface boxes enable integration across diverse USV platforms with minimal modification.

Separated Controls

LED Breakout Board mounts on vessel exterior, separating safety switches from the ESAD enclosure.

Autopilot Compatible

ARM and DET inputs interface directly with USV command and control systems.

Status Telemetry

Digital and IP status output provides real-time ESAD state to operator displays.