Review of Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (AUV) Developments 
importance. A modular AUV with parallel mid-body sections is being developed. The general 
AUV design called the Atlantic Layer Tracking Experiment (ALTEX) minimizes the use of 
pressure housings, putting as many systems as possible in smaller, lighter oil-filled (pressure- 
compensated) enclosures resulting in a small, deep-rated system. To achieve the desired 
range capability, the ALTEX program will employ a fuel cell energy system constructed by a 
team composed of Yardney Technical Products and Fuel Cell Technologies (FCT), Ltd. The 
system being developed is unique in that it will be pressure compensated and therefore deep- 
ocean rated. Communication will be provided by buoys designed to melt through the ice and 
telemeter mission data via Argos. The buoys will also be equipped with GPS, so that a position 
fix can be obtained. Other components of the vehicle will be a mix of systems developed for 
earlier generations of AUVs by the partner organizations. While some new systems are being 
developed, the objective is to leverage existing technology to the highest degree possible. The 
AUV capability goals are to deliver a suite of oceanographic and mapping sensors up to 1000 
kilometers and down to least 1500 meters. Research will also be directed toward the 
development of communication systems using self-locating transponders that are remotely 
installed in the ice. 
Buoy launcher 
—_ 
& ae 
7 ‘¥ 
Contral sphere P 
Thruster s 
Internal Structure 
Fairing panels 
Figure 18. ALTEX — Exploded View 
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