UUV PRESENTS DESIGN CHALLENGES

摘要

To enable systems to fulfill some of their envisioned roles, UUV design must overcome two technical hurdles that are uniquely challenging in the undersea domain-endurance and communications. Advancements in these areas are key enablers to achieving long-range, multimis-sion functionality. Improving the endurance of UUVs is a recurring theme at the International Symposium on Unmanned Untethered Submersible Technology. Since the inaugural meeting in 1980, research and development has led to significant progress toward scalable, long-range UUV deployments. In March 2016, for example, Boeing announced the arrival of the 51-foot Echo Voyager, the largest of Boeing's UUV fleet, boasting the ability to "operate autonomously for months at a time thanks to a hybrid rechargeable power system and modular payload bay." With a top speed of 8 knots and range of 6,500 nautical miles, the Echo Voyager represents an enormous step forward in the UUV's capability.