NORBIT WBMS X

The NORBIT WBMS X is an ultra-compact multibeam bathymetric sonar system designed for high-resolution hydrographic surveying and seabed mapping.

Available in Standard and Long Range configurations, the WBMS X combines detailed bathymetric data collection with flexible swath coverage, vessel-motion compensation, and compatibility with established hydrographic software.

Equipment Type: Multibeam Bathymetric Sonar System

Benefits of the NORBIT WBMS X

Hydrographic surveying
Bathymetric mapping
Seabed mapping
Dredging surveys
Navigation channel surveys
Coastal surveys
Offshore site surveys
Marine construction surveys
Pipeline route surveys
Cable route surveys

Ports
Ports
Navigation channels
Coastal waterways
Offshore energy sites
Marine construction sites
Subsea pipelines
Subsea cables

Oil and gas
Offshore energy
Offshore wind
Marine construction
Dredging
Ports and harbors
Coastal engineering
Hydrography

A louer

Demande de devis

Flexible Bathymetric Surveying with the NORBIT WBMS X

Hydrographic survey requirements can change substantially from one project to the next. Vessel size, water depth, positioning equipment, and required sounding density all influence how a multibeam system should be configured.

The NORBIT WBMS X addresses these variables through a compact, modular platform rather than a single fixed package. Survey teams can configure the system around their operational environment while maintaining the bathymetric resolution, coverage, and positioning integration needed to produce usable survey data.

Collect High-Resolution Bathymetric Data in Shallow and Deeper Water

The NORBIT WBMS X is available in Standard and Long Range configurations for surveys across different operating depths.

The Standard model supports a depth range of 0.2–275 meters.
The Long Range model extends the maximum range to 600 meters.

Both configurations provide frequency agility from 200–700 kHz, allowing operators to balance range and resolution for the conditions encountered during a survey.

The system offers resolution as fine as 0.5° × 0.5° at 700 kHz, flexible swath coverage from 5°–210°, and an adaptive ping rate of up to 60 Hz.

Configure the NORBIT WBMS X for Different Survey Platforms

The NORBIT WBMS X can be supplied with integrated or non-integrated GNSS/INS configurations and supports several mounting and hardware options, including NORBIT’s PORTUS carbon-fiber pole, titanium housing, protective fairing, and multiple cable lengths.

Dual-head and subsea configurations are also available for specialized deployments. This modular approach allows the system to support permanent vessel installations as well as portable or project-specific setups.

Maintain Even Sounding Density in Dynamic Conditions

The NORBIT WBMS X includes active roll stabilization, with pitch and yaw stabilization available as software options.

These functions compensate for vessel movement in real time to help maintain more consistent sounding distribution. Optional Dual Swath further increases along-track density by transmitting two swaths during each ping cycle, supporting efficient data collection when denser coverage is required.

Integrate the NORBIT WBMS X into Existing Survey Workflows

The NORBIT WBMS X supports OEM GNSS/INS integrations from Applanix and SBG. INS-integrated systems can also use NORBIT’s Data Collection Tool and real-time 3D point-cloud visualization.

Compatibility with third-party platforms—including HYPACK, QPS, BeamworX, and EIVA—allows bathymetric data to move into familiar acquisition and post-processing workflows without forcing operators into a single software ecosystem.

NORBIT WBMS X Technical Specifications

Standard depth range	0.2–275 m
Long Range depth range	0.2–600 m
Operating frequency	200–700 kHz, configuration dependent
Best angular resolution	0.5° × 0.5° at 700 kHz
Swath coverage	5°–210° flexible sector

Number of beams	256, 512, or optional 1,024
Dual Swath	Optional 2 × 1,024 beams
Ping rate	Up to 60 Hz, adaptive
Acoustic depth resolution	Less than 10 mm with 80 kHz bandwidth
Backscatter outputs	Intensity, sidescan, snippets, and water column

Vessel-motion compensation	Active roll stabilization; optional pitch and yaw stabilization
GNSS/INS integrations	Applanix OceanMaster, WaveMaster II, SurfMaster, and SBG Ekinox
NORBIT software	Data Collection Tool and real-time 3D point-cloud visualization
Third-party software	HYPACK, QPS, BeamworX, EIVA, and others
Additional options	Dual Swath and STX electronic scanning

Weight in air	Approximately 6.6–7.9 kg, depending on configuration
Standard depth rating	100m
Optional subsea version	Rated to 1,500 m for qualifying Standard configurations
Température de fonctionnement	-4°C to +40°C
Puissance	10–28 VDC or 100–240 VAC; 40–85 W depending on GNSS configuration