Unmanned underwater vehicle
Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV), also known as uncrewed underwater vehicles and underwater drones,
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/Unmanned_Underwater_Vehicle_operations_130605-N-AZ907-046.jpg/220px-Unmanned_Underwater_Vehicle_operations_130605-N-AZ907-046.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/US_Navy_110613-N-PB086-025_The_Reliant_unmanned_underwater_vehicle_project_is_deployed_during_the_2011_Mine_Countermeasures_Science_and_Technology.jpg/220px-US_Navy_110613-N-PB086-025_The_Reliant_unmanned_underwater_vehicle_project_is_deployed_during_the_2011_Mine_Countermeasures_Science_and_Technology.jpg)
Classifications
Remotely operated underwater vehicle
Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROUVs) is a subclass of UUVs with the primary purpose of replacing humans for underwater tasks due to the difficult underwater conditions. ROUVs are designed to perform educational or industrial missions.[2] They are manually controlled by an operator to perform tasks that include surveillance and patrolling.[2] The structure of ROUVs disqualify it from being able to operate autonomously.[2] In addition to a camera, actuators, and sensors, ROUVs often include a “gripper” or something to grasp objects with. This may throw off the weight distribution of the vehicle, requiring manual assistance at all times. Sometimes ROUVs require additional assistance due to the importance of the task being performed. The US Navy developed a Submarine Rescue Diving Recompression System (SRDRS) that can save up to 16 people up to 2000 feet underwater at a time.[3] Such a large vehicle with the primary role of saving lives requires an operator(s) to be present during its mission.[3]
Autonomous underwater vehicle
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are defined as underwater vehicles that can operate without a human operator.[4] Sizes can range from just a few kilograms up to thousands of kilograms.[5] The first AUV was created in 1957 with the purpose of performing research in the Arctic Waters for the Applied Ph Laboratory at the University of Washington.[6] By the early 2000s, 10 different AUV had been developed such as screw driven AUVs, underwater gliders, and Bionic AUVs.[6] The earliest models used screw propeller thrusters while more recent models utilized automatic buoyancy control. The earliest model, SPURV, weighed 484 kg, went as deep as 3650 meters, and could travel for up to 5.5 hours.[6] One of the most recent models, Deepglider, weighs 62 kg, can go as deep as 6000 meters, and can travel up to 8500 km.[6]
History
1950s
Starting in 1957, the first unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) was classified as an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), and was created in the United States to research the Arctic waters.[6] The Special Purpose Underwater Research Vehicle (SPURV), was used by the University of Washington to collect oceanographic data until 1979 during which the development of SPURV II began to provide better movement performance and better sensing capabilities.[6]
1970s
Scientists from the Autonomous and Control Processes Institute took interest in the developments of the AUV “SCAT” which led to the introduction of the UUVs “L1” and “L2” in 1974. “L1” and “L2” are AUV models used for the further development of technology and oceanographic mapping respectively.[6]
1980s
Further development of the Remotely operated Vehicle (ROV) brought forth the creation of the Autonomous and Remote controlled submarine (ARCS) in 1983 by the ISE ltd. company in partnership with the “International Submarine Engineering”.[6] ARCS was also classified as a Remotely controlled underwater vehicle (ROUV) because of its 32-bit Motorola processor which allowed for the remote control it featured.[6] This UUV further served as a testing platform, improving on the battery life, navigational, and communicational systems having its first dive in 1987.[6]
1990s
When the Russian Institute of Marine Technology Problems introduced the Solar Autonomous underwater vehicle (SAUV), it was the start of longer term exploration missions without the need of retrieving the UUV for maintenance.[6] The introduction of solar panels on UUVs began with the SAUV in 1987 and was kept during the making of SAUV II.[6] Solar panels enabled lengthier missions, with the ability to use features such as gps and high payloads more frequently due to its ease of charge.[6]
Advancements in battery life enabled for the creation of “gliders” in 1995 which would allow for the long term dives in which the UUVs would remain submerged for weeks or even months at a time.[6]
2000s
UUVs begin to be taken into consideration for more than testing tools for other underwater missions due to the increase number of user internationally.[7] There was also an increase in funding for the UUV technology development. The rise in users internationally led to the increase demand for UUV technology outside of government agencies and the commercial sale of UUVs started, expanding the research based use of the UUV to a more industrial/commercial based use.[7]
2016 incident
On December 16, 2016, a Chinese warship in
2020s
In early 2023, following successful
TLK-150 is developed by Brave1, which has designs for two larger UUVs. The TLK-400 is longer at 4–6 m (13–20 ft) and "has a much larger diameter body inferring greater range and payload. The TLK-1000 would be much larger again, up to 12 meters (40 feet) in length and with four thrusters."[11]
In April 2024, Ukraine has announced that it was testing an “unmanned submarine” that can be fitted with a warhead, stealth features and sensors, carry up to 10 divers, carry six torpedoes or missiles and has an endurance of 54 hours/1000 kms, with a speed of up to 50 kms/h underwater.[12]
In May 2024, Northrop Grumman unveiled an underwater drone named the Manta Ray, developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Modeled after the manta ray, this drone underwent four years of development to mimic the movements of this oceanic creature. The product is engineered for extended-duration and long-range military operations with minimal human intervention. Additionally, it features the capability to harness energy from the ocean.[13] Manta Ray successfully completed full-scale at-sea trials off the coast of Southern California in February and March 2024.[14][15] According to DARPA, Manta Ray demonstrates a first-of-its-kind capability for an extra-large UUV due to its "cross-country modular transportation, in-field assembly, and subsequent deployment."[16][17]
Design
Gliders
External fins perpendicular to the frame of the UUV which allowed for a linear movement of the UUV and deeper, controlled dives.[5] These gliders use buoyancy derived propulsion which increases the duration of dives and their range through up and down movement in the ocean.[5][18]
Manta ray
In September 2021, researchers at a Chinese university developed a manta ray shaped UUV with the purpose of collecting information around the Paracel Islands.[19] Some UUVs are designed to mimic the silhouettes of animals to facilitate movement and prevent detection.[19] The manta ray design allows the UUV to camouflage with the marine life and contributes to the ease at which the craft swims through water.[19]
In May 2024, Northrop Grumman revealed an underwater drone named the Manta Ray.[13] The drone, built for DARPA, has been under development since 2020.[14] The Manta Ray represents a new class of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), that were developed to perform long duration, long range military missions with as little human oversight as possible. The craft is also capable of harvesting energy from the ocean.
Oxygen/hydrogen air-independent propulsion
UUVs are oxygen dependent vehicles which require to resurface. With the development of a propulsion unit that does not require oxygen or hydrogen, the ability for the UUV to stay continuously underwater increases drastically.[20]
Lithium and water power source
The newest source of power for UUVs could be the free energy reaction of Lithium/water as it produces 8530 Wh/kg. 5% of this energy would surpass the already established sources of energy densities found in today's UUVs.[5][21] The power source would essentially consume the water around the UUV and manipulated it to produce energy through chemical reactions which would power the UUV.[5]
Applications
Military
The US Navy began using UUVs in the 1990s to detect and disable underwater mines.[22] UUVs were used by the US Navy during the Iraq War in the 2010s to remove mines around Umm Qasr, a port in southern Iraq.[22]
The Chinese military uses UUVs for mostly data collection and reconnaissance purposes.[23]
On December 20, 2020, a fisherman in Indonesia spotted a glider-shaped UUV near Selayar Island in South Sulawesi.[23] Individuals from the Indonesian military have categorized the vehicle to be a Chinese Sea Wing (Haiyi), created for the purposes of collecting data including water temperature, salinity, turbidity, and oxygen levels that can help chart optimal submarine routes.[23]
The navies of multiple countries, including the US, UK, France,India, Russia, and China
A survey conducted by
In November 2022, the Eurasian Times reported that China's Harbin Engineering University has developed trans-medium 'flying submarine' drones capable of both underwater and air travel, noting the potential military applications of the vehicles.[27]
Implementations
These examples of applications took place during the 2018 Advanced Naval Technology exercises, in August at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport. The first example of unmanned underwater vehicles was displayed by Northrop Grumman with their air drop
Film uses
UUVs were also used to film a recent National Geographic documentary called "The Dark Secrets" of the Lusitania, the British ocean liner that the Germans sank during World War 1.[29] To capture footage of the wreckage, the camera crew used a combination of submarines, remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROUVs) and underwater suits called Newtsuits.[29]
Deep-sea exploration and research
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/2018_Gulf_of_Mexico_Brine_Pool.jpg/240px-2018_Gulf_of_Mexico_Brine_Pool.jpg)
Unmanned underwater vehicles can be used for deep-sea exploration and research. For example, remotely operated vehicles have been used to collect samples from the sea-floor to measure its
UUVs are commonly used in oceanic research, for purposes such as current and temperature measurement, ocean floor mapping, and
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution employs a vehicle called the Sentry, which is designed to map the ocean floor at depths of six thousand meters. The vehicle is shaped to minimize water resistance during dives, and utilized acoustic communications systems to report the vehicles status while operating. Unmanned underwater vehicles are capable of recording conditions and terrain below sea ice, as the risk of sending an unmanned vehicle into unstable ice formations is much lower than that of a manned vessel. Glider type unmanned vehicles are often used to measure ocean temperatures and current strengths at various depths. Their simplicity and reduced operating costs allow more UUVs to be deployed with greater frequency, increasing the accuracy and detail of ocean weather reporting. Many UUVs designed with the purpose of collecting seafloor samples or images are of the towed type, being pulled by a ship's cable along either the seafloor or above. Towed vehicles may be selected for tasks which require large amounts of power and data transmission, such as sample testing and high definition imaging, as their tow cable serve as the method of communication between controller and craft. In 2021, scientists demonstrated a bioinspired self-powered soft robot for deep-sea operation that can withstand the pressure at the deepest part of the ocean at the Mariana Trench. The robot features artificial muscles and wings out of pliable materials and electronics distributed within its silicone body and could be used for exploration and environmental monitoring.[34][35][36]
Science Direct claims the use of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles has risen consistently since they were introduced in the 1960s, and find their most frequent use in scientific research and data collection. Oceanservice describes Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUVs) as two variations of UUVs, each able to accomplish the same tasks, provided the craft is properly designed.[citation needed]
Ecosystem rehabilitation
Companies like Duro AUS offer UUVs that can remotely collect and transmit water data for local governments.[37] Duro helps the New York City government collect data around Randall's Island Park Alliance to monitor water quality and wetland health in the East and Harlem Rivers.[37] Another project that Duro is undertaking is in conjunction with the Bronx River Alliance to help rejuvenate the river's wildlife.[37] Using this data, state and local governments have made key decisions regarding the policies under the New York Ocean Action Plan for adjacent oceans, rivers, and estuaries.[38]
Concerns
A major concern with unmanned underwater vehicles is communication. Communication between the pilot and unmanned vehicle is crucial, however there are multiple factors that hinder the connection between the two. One of the major problems involves the distortion of transmissions underwater, because water can distort underwater transmissions and delay them which can be a very major problem in a time sensitive mission. Communications are usually disturbed due to the fact that unmanned underwater vehicles utilize acoustic waves rather than the more conventional
A popular navigation system aboard these unmanned underwater vehicles is acoustic positioning, which is also faced with the same problems as acoustic communication because they use the same system. The Royal Netherlands Navy has published an article[40] detailing their concerns surrounding unmanned marine vehicles. The Royal Netherlands Navy is strongly concerned with the ability of UUV's to evade detection and complete tasks not possible in manned vessels. The adaptability and utility of Unmanned Underwater vehicles means it will be difficult to predict and counter their future actions.[citation needed] Over the last few years, projects like TWINBOT are developing new ways of communication among several GIRONA500 AUVs.[41]
See also
- Radio-controlled submarine, operated via radio control
- Remotely operated underwater vehicle, operated via cable
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- ^ "Ukrainian Engineers Design 'Kronos' Submarine That Fires Torpedoes". The Kyiv Post. 16 April 2024.
- ^ a b "The Pentagon Created a New Kind of Underwater Predator: The Mysterious Manta Ray". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ a b Demarest, Colin (2024-05-02). "Northrop's colossal Manta Ray underwater drone passes at-sea tests". C4ISRNet. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ Pare, Sascha (May 11, 2024). "DARPA's autonomous 'Manta Ray' drone can glide through ocean depths undetected". space.com. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Manta Ray UUV Prototype Completes In-Water Testing - DARPA program exhibits modular, first-of-kind capabilities". darpa.mil. May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ Hanks, Micah (2024-05-06). "DARPA's Futuristic Manta Ray Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Sees First Full-Scale Ocean Testing". The Debrief. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
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- ^ a b c Mizokami, Kyle (2021-09-23). "China's Newest Drone Looks and Swims like a Manta Ray". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
- ^ "Russia develops preliminary design of AIP unit for Sarma UUV". Naval News. 2021-09-21. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
- ^ "Batteries that "drink" seawater could power long-range underwater vehicles". MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
- ^ a b Editor-in-Chief (10 September 2018). "The History of Underwater Drones". Droneblog. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
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