Autonomous Seagliders for Extended Missions under Arctic Sea Ice
Abstract
We propose acquisition of four ice?capable Seagliders for use in ONR Arctic research programs. Rapid Arctic environmental change, exemplified by the recent, dramatic reduction in summertime sea ice extent, highlights the need to improve dynamical understanding of the dominant processes as a step toward developing both tactical and strategic forecast capability. The remote environment, ice cover and extreme operating conditions challenge conventional observing technologies and limit data availability beneath the ice and within the marginal ice zone, particularly during transition seasons (break?up and freeze?up). The APL?UW team has successfully developed and deployed a Seaglider system capable of extended (multi?month), fully autonomous operation in ice covered environments. While under ice, these gliders navigate using an array of long?range acoustic beacons and rely on enhanced autonomy to detect overhead ice and make mission?critical decisions. Ice?capable Seagliders have successfully completed multiple science missions under the ice?covered Davis Strait (as part of the NSF Arctic Observing Network) and two shorter deployments in the Antarctic. Most recently, as part of the ONR Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) Departmental Research Initiative, ice?capable Seagliders successfully completed a three?month, four?glider mission, collecting measurements that spanned from open water, across the MIZ and deep into the pack ice. The MIZ system was augmented to allow navigation from drifting acoustic sources and to employ more advanced real?time navigation algorithms. The acquisition of additional ice?capable gliders will provide the observing capability needed for upcoming ONR Arctic efforts addressing water column processes and their impact on sea ice evolution.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512889
Entities
People
- Craig Lee
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Washington