Autosub: an autonomous unmanned submersible for ocean data collection

Developing an understanding of the processes involved, and ultimately a predictive capability, has led to increasing demand for data of all types. Although Earth observation satellites can now provide remote means of sampling the ocean surface, many of the measurement techniques applied in the deep oceans are still heavily dependent on ships. An alternative which is being explored in many countries is the use of unmanned autonomous underwater vehicles to gather data. In this context the paper describes the progress made in the Autosub project of the Natural Environment Research Council