Unmanned Systems Maritime Search and Rescue

Unmanned Systems Maritime Search and Rescue
This article covers the use of the Bluefin-9 by General Dynamics which is a UUV with many mission capabilities. I chose it because of the ease of use for rapid deployment search and rescue, and also because it provides line replaceable units or LRU’s for quick swapping batteries and data storage systems. The sensors that this machine is loaded with include a Sonardyne Solstice 3000 Multi-aperture sonar, Removable Data Storage Module (RDSM) w/ Camera, Turbidity and Fluorometer Sensor, and Sound Velocity Sensor + Temperature + Pressure ("Bluefin-9 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV)"). All these sensors and payloads are exteroceptive sensors, and there are a few proprioceptive sensors to mention as well. These include the dashboard which automatically shifts communications to the highest bandwidth channel available providing you with a dynamic gateway to the vehicle, following this is a variety of specialized diagnostic interfaces which aid the preventative and corrective maintenance procedures for each sensor and subsystem ("Bluefin-9 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV)").
There are diagnostic sensors for each system on the UUV including battery monitoring and an IMU for axis orientation. I do think these sensors are capable of standard search and rescue missions because of the endurance which is about 8 hours. This allows for extended search operations with pinpoint accuracy thanks to a few other features. The vehicle has an integrated GPS antenna which provides real-time accuracy ≤ 0.3% D.T. CEP 50, Dedicated Inertial Navigation System which utilizes the GPS satellite constellation and a Doppler Velocity Log. Communications can be via ethernet and Wi-Fi or iridium, and also an acoustic modem for underwater communications. All of this tech can be used to collect data based on the mission.
This UUV can be used in conjunction with a UAS because of the accuracy in the GPS and INS subsystems. A UAV could be used to identify areas of interest from the sky and send the Bluefin-9 to the exact same spot with the GPS coordinates. One of the main advantages of this system over a manned system is the range and autonomy therein. 8 hours of endurance with a quick charging capability and quick swapping battery procedure can advance the range for as long as theoretically possible. The vehicle also allows the hard drive to be removed and swapped for immediate data transfer. The vehicle brings expeditious and efficient use allowing it to surpass the competition. Sensor suites have come a long way since the original bluefin-21 which use about the same.
With these systems, it’s not always about what’s better but how the data is used. Other questions one can ask is how much does it cost? Is the system easy to use and launch? Are there other venues that provide a better solution and are they more reliable? With these questions in mind I believe for the sensors and capability, this UUV is an excellent option for search and rescue efforts depending on the mission. It is also important to note that this system can be used for a large variety of purposes not only SAR. A big selling point for companies willing to look into a few different mission specialties. 

Bluefin-9 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://gdmissionsystems.com/products/underwater-vehicles/bluefin-9-autonomous-underwater-vehicle

 Hill, J. C., Foster, D. S., & McKinney, A. (n.d.). Swath Bathymetry systems. Retrieved from https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/sfmapping/swath.htm

 Mathur, A. (n.d.). Learn the Working of a Turbidity Sensor. Retrieved from https://www.engineersgarage.com/insight/how-turbidity-sensor-works

 Ocean Networks Canada. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.oceannetworks.ca/learning/ocean-sense/resources-lessons/fluorometer

 Rees, M. (2018, October 30). GDMS Launches Redesigned Bluefin-9 AUV. Retrieved November 1, 2018, from https://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/2018/10/general-dynamics-mission-systems-launches-redesigned-bluefin-9-auv/


 Solstice - AUV Side Scan Sonar System. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.sonardyne.com/product/solstice-auv-side-scan-sonar-system/

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