An Expansion of Glider Observation STrategies to Systematically Transmit and Analyze Preferred Waypoints of Underwater Gliders

Abstract

The Glider Observation STrategies (GOST) system provides real-time assistance to ocean glider pilots by suggesting preferred ocean glider waypoints based on ocean forecasts and their uncertainties. Restrictions on waterspace, preferred operational areas, and other glider trajectories are also taken into account. Using existing operational regional Navy Coastal Ocean Model (RNCOM) output, demonstrations of glider waypoint calculation are ongoing in Navy operational areas. After the ocean forecast models and GOST components run at the Navy DoD Supercomputing Resource Center (Navy DSRC), GOST-suggested glider paths are transferred to the Glider Operations Center (GOC). The glider pilots at the GOC import this informaion into their Unmanned Systems Interface (USI), developed at the University of Washington, Applied Physics Laboratory (APL-UW) to evaluate the suggested glider paths, make adjustments, and update waypoints for the gliders. The waypoints being sent are visualized and analyzed using graphic capabilities to convey guidance uncertainty developed under a grant to the University of New Orleans (UNO) and added under the Environmental Measurements Path Planner (EMPath) system within GOST. USI forwards automatic messages from the gliders with recent glider location, speed, and depth to GOST for the next cycle. Over the course of these demonstrations, capabilities were added or modified including use of initial glider bearing, preferred path, refinement of glider turn frequency, correction of glider speed, and introduction of glider rendezvous locations. Automation has been added with help from the modeling group at the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO). GOST supports NAVOCEANO's ongoing efforts to direct and recover gliders, to safely navigate in changing ocean conditions, and to provide feedback to improve ocean model prediction.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2015
Accession Number
ADA623242

Entities

People

  • Andrea C. Mask
  • Bryan L. Mensi
  • Charles N. Barron
  • Danielle A. Bryant
  • Edward A. Holmberg
  • Kevin D. Heaney
  • Lucy F. Smedstad
  • Michael W. Brooking
  • Rachel N. Bourg
  • Robert J. Carr

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Automation
  • Autonomous Machine Behavior
  • Directories
  • Feedback
  • Genetic Algorithms
  • Graphics
  • Guidance
  • Information Operations
  • Interdisciplinary Science
  • Latitude
  • Longitude
  • Observation
  • Oceans
  • Rendezvous
  • Trajectories
  • Unmanned Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Geodesy
  • Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Flux Boundary Layers

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy