Design of a Modular, Compact, Long Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle with Gliding Capabilities for Research Purpose Operations

The consideration of long-term autonomous instrumentation for ocean research applications is now trying to be answered by developing The concept of the Underwater glider. Combining the capabilities of AUV (self-propelled vehicle), which is very good in maneuverability, and underwater glider with their long endurance platform promising advantageous feature. In order to gain some amount of space for carrying many different subsystems, the capacity of payload must be reduced. In addition, there is some additional drag and interference in the optimum cruise efficiency that may cause by external appendages, payload and navigation systems such wings, propeller, etc. Continuing with this concept, prototype of an underwater glider has been designed and built to prove its feasibility and capabilities in real scale to be used for various offshore research. Experiment at the pool of a depth of 5 meters has shown a good result with full functionality of ballast and buoyancy engine. The combination of both systems proves that propelled vehicle forward in a pool as well as open sea.