UUVs

UUVs, or unmanned underwater vehicles, are robotic systems designed to operate underwater without a human onboard. They are used across scientific, commercial, and military domains and are capable of performing tasks that may be dangerous, time-consuming, or impractical for human divers. The category UUVs encompasses autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), as well as hybrid or tethered configurations.

AUVs are untethered and follow mission plans created before deployment. They rely on onboard sensors, inertial navigation, Doppler velocity logs, and acoustic positioning to navigate and collect data. ROVs are tethered to a surface support vessel or station and provide real-time control and higher payload capacity, enabling complex manipulation and heavy equipment operations. Hybrid systems may combine autonomous navigation with tethered communication for enhanced reliability.

Common capabilities across UUVs include propulsion, control surfaces, and a range of payloads such as sonar systems, cameras, magnetometers, environmental samplers, and robotic arms. Power sources vary, with batteries being typical for shorter missions and hybrid or tethered designs used for longer or more demanding tasks. Communication is often acoustic for autonomous missions, while tethered systems rely on direct data links.

Applications span hydrographic surveying, seabed mapping, underwater inspection and repair of infrastructure, environmental monitoring, marine science, and defense-related tasks such as mine countermeasures and reconnaissance. Ongoing developments focus on improving endurance, autonomy, sensor integration, and resilience in harsh underwater environments.