Development of Oceanographic Sampling Networks using Autonomous Gliding Vehicles and Demonstration of WHOI Glider Fleet Operations in the Tropical Western Pacific for the Naval Oceanographic Office

摘要

Our long-term goal is to develop a relocatable, sustainable, infrastructure-free ocean observing system composed of low-cost, high-endurance vehicles with near-global range and a modular sensor payload. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of adaptive sampling strategies and the automated control of large glider fleets. This program has two components. The first deals with the development of a high - endurance environmentally-powered AUV and the demonstration of moderate term (weeks to months) operation of multi- vehicle autonomous glider networks in blue water environments. The second component results from a request by the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office for a technology demonstration of WHOl glider fleet operations in the western tropical Pacific Ocean. The objectives of this component were to demonstrate the potential for integration of glider derived ocean measurements into NAVO operational products, forecast models, and model validation efforts.