Autonomous Craft Explores the Deep
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edited by Robert H. Williams
A 30-foot unmanned underwater vehicle developed by Penn State’s
Applied Research Laboratory is performing an array of underwater
tasks for the Navy. This improved version of the Seahorse is powered
by more than 9,000 standard D alkaline batteries.
The
craft, which can cruise at a depth of 1,000 feet, has been successfully
tested in Lake Erie and the Bahamas. In the second exercise, Seahorse
was launched from a Trident submarine missile tube. The autonomous
craft has collected oceanographic data and probed the ocean depths
for simulated mines.
The Seahorse was designed to replace tethered platforms, which
among other shortcomings are difficult to control. Researchers say
the craft can make four knots and travel 500 nautical miles. It
is rated to operate for up to 125 hours.