Results of a long distance experiment with the AUV "Urashima"

Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has advanced the development of an ocean going Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). Technical problem on an AUV is to develop instruments for highly accurate positioning, an efficient power source and digital telemetry in the sea. The AUV in JAMSTEC has accurate positioning system, fuel cell and digital telemetry. Sea test started in 2000, results were fed back to instruments to improve AUV performances. Its energy source was replaced to closed-cycle fuel cell system from lithium-ion battery in 2002. The AUV was successfully cruised 220 km range in 2003 along the pre-programmed route while having submerged. This work presents result and navigational data obtained in a long distance test with the AUV.