Autosub Long Range: A long range deep diving AUV for ocean monitoring

This paper introduces the Autosub Long Range Autonomous Underwater Vehicle being developed at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. This propeller driven vehicle is designed to have a 6000m depth rating and a 6000km range. This is achieved by reducing the propulsion power by travelling slowly and hotel power by careful component selection and husbanding of resources. The challenges associated with net buoyancy compensation and low Reynolds number phenomena are outlined, and a passive compensation scheme is described. Early field trials are discussed, and the AUV's role in the upcoming FASTNEt science programme is outlined.