Review of Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (AUV) Developments 
FOREWORD 
A maturing Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) technology currently offers a wide range of 
applications, for both commercial and military sectors. The Naval Meteorology and 
Oceanography Command (NAVMETOCCOM), in coordination with the US Navy AUV program, 
has specific plans for the use of AUVs to augment the NAVMETOCCOM fleet of ocean survey 
ships. In support of those plans NAVMETOCCOM, the Office of Naval Research and the Naval 
Research Laboratory have partnered with commercial and academic developers and have 
provided a test range with exercise opportunities to facilitate AUV technology developments. As 
a result of those efforts, NAVMETOCCOM is in the process of fielding its first AUV for 
operational ocean survey. 
This report was commissioned to provide a snapshot of the current state of AUV technology, 
with emphasis on the area we consider is the greatest limiting factor — power sources. We owe 
a special acknowledgement for the contributions of RADM J. Brad Mooney, USN (Ret), who 
continues a career dedicated to advancing research and development for naval submersibles. 
T. Q. Donaldson V 
RDML, U. S. Navy 
Commander, 
Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command 
\\ 
Wh. 
yor’ 
uw 
IN\\=) 
9030" 
