Mapping vehicle specifications
![]() Larger version Interior of the mapping AUV, with components called out. Image © MBARI 2006 |
![]() Larger version CAD drawing of the batteries, sensors, and computers assembled in the interior (top), surrounded with syntactic foam for flotation (middle), and encased in the plastic outer farings (bottom). Image © MBARI 2006 |
General specifications for the Mapping AUV
- Dorado-class vehicle
- Size: 54 cm (21") diameter, 524 cm (17') length
- Mass: 1018 kg (2240 lb) wet, 636 kg (1400lb) dry
- Depth: routine operations to 1500 m, rated to 6000 m
- Typical speed: 3 knots
- Range: 55-85 km depending on sonar load
- Endurance: 8.5 hours at 3 knots
- Turning diameter: <20 m
- Maximum climb/dive rate: > 30 m/minute
- Operable: MBARI R/V Zephyr and R/V Western Flyer, and from blue water UNOLS vessels.
Instrumentation
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Navigation
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Power options
- 5 kWhr Eagle-Pitcher secondary cells in a 1 atmosphere glass housing
- 3 x 2 kWhr lithium-polymer pressure-tolerant batteries
Propulsion
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Surface communications
- Freewave RF modem, 57.6 kbps
- Iridium phone
- Radio Direction finder (RDF)
Submerged communications
- Sonardyne Fusion USBL MF, 19 kHz down, 27 kHz up
- 8-15 kHz Benthos acoustic modem
Deployment and recovery
- Single vertical lift point
- Front tow hook
- Deployed with custom lift assembly or standard ship's crane
>> More about deployment strategies for the vehicle
Safety
- Slight positive buoyancy (~8 lbs buoyant)
- Emergency 10 kg drop weight with internal and remote acoustic trigger
- Homerpro acoustic beacon, RDF, strobe light
- When on the surface, Iridium calls home to give a position
Next: Deployment






