Autosub 2000 under ice: Design of a new work class AUV for under ice exploration

The ice covered portions of the world’s seas and oceans are some of the most inaccessible areas on the planet, yet hold crucial clues to the behaviour of the world’s climate. Largely inaccessible by manned vessels, robotic platforms provide our best opportunities to explore and learn about these regions. Autosub2000 Under Ice (Autosub2KUI) will become the newest iteration of the Autosub family of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles which have played a significant role in under ice exploration over the last two decades. Autosub AUVs have conducted over 30 missions under sea ice and tidewater glaciers in both the Arctic and Antarctic. This paper outlines the design of Autosub2KUI with a focus on the adaptations required for operation under ice.