Review of Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (AUV) Developments 
COMMANDER, NAVAL METEOROLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY COMMAND 
Requirements for oceanographic environmental support are identical to optimizing effectiveness 
of Navy high-technology warfare systems. With the Navy's shift to littoral operations, these 
requirements have increased significantly. Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography 
Command (COMNAVMETOCCOM) is emphasizing integration of UUVs into the survey fleet as 
force multipliers to meet this increased demand for environmental support of several Integrated 
Warfare Architecture (IWAR) sub-domains. Naval Research Laboratory, South (NRLS) worked 
with an ISE developed "Dolphin" UUV, changed its name to "ORCA," and developed it as a 
force multiplier for survey work. This air-breathing internal-combustion engine-powered UUV 
was the prototype for the Remote Mine-hunting System (RMS) currently being developed. 
SEAHORSE 
COMNAVMETOCCOM's entry into the large UUV realm was initiated with the transfer of 
vehicles (1997/98) developed and tested at Draper Labs under the Defense Advanced 
Research Projects Agency (DARPA) project. The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) 
teamed with Penn State University Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) to integrate commercial 
off-the-shelf (COTS) systems to build the SEAHORSE-class UUV, a low-cost, long-mission- 
endurance vehicle for standard shipboard deployment (figure 20). The design emphasizes: 
e Modularity for quick turnaround shipboard maintainability in forward-deployed 
modes--rapid energy refurbishment and sensor payload change out 
e Use of commercial oceanographic sensors that have been integrated and 
proven in the small UUV realm, and low-cost D-cell power pack technology 
e Propulsor and autonomous control designed for shallow-water, energetic 
environments 
The benefits to oceanographic surveys to be realized with SEAHORSE include: 
e Force multiplier for T-AGS 60 oceanographic survey vessels 
e Progress on UUV Priority III to provide large-area oceanography and tactical 
oceanography support 
e Compatibility with standard NAVOCEANO oceanographic sensors 
e Autonomous operating range of 300 nmi or 72 hours with existing battery 
system 
e Deploy and leave ability increases survey effectiveness by allowing T-AGS 60 
to depart SEAHORSE survey area and conduct surveys in other ocean areas 
e Autonomous operating range of 1000 nmi, or more than one-week 
deployment time with future battery system 
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