Multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are operated by a host platform by configuring the AUVs with intermediate nodes (such as unmanned surface vehicles (USVs)) so as to allow the host platform to manage multiple AUVs. The intermediate nodes act as a relay for communications between the host platform and the AUVs allowing the host platform to scale to higher numbers of vehicles thus simultaneously operating the entire fleet of AUVs. The AUVs may provide underwater mapping data. The host platform may be stationary. The host platform may communicate with the intermediate nodes by satellite.

Multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are operated by a host platform by configuring the AUVs with intermediate nodes (such as unmanned surface vehicles (USVs)) so as to allow the host platform to manage multiple AUVs. The intermediate nodes act as a relay for communications between the host platform and the AUVs allowing the host platform to scale to higher numbers of vehicles thus simultaneously operating the entire fleet of AUVs. The AUVs may provide underwater mapping data. The host platform may be stationary. The host platform may communicate with the intermediate nodes by satellite.

A sonar system and method enable performing angled-looking sonar (ALS) by emitting sonar waves in a forward and downward direction from sonar transducers located at an underwater vessel. The sonar waves may be received by sonar transducers located al the underwater vessel. Additionally, a variable geometry sonar system and method enable performing side scan sonar (SSS) and ALS by moving al least one sonar transducer to perform both SSS and ALS. The variable geometry sonar system may be used with an underwater vessel to perform mine countermeasure (MCM) missions by using ALS for a homing phase on a target.

A sonar system and method enable performing angled-looking sonar (ALS) by emitting sonar waves in a forward and downward direction from sonar transducers located at an underwater vessel. The sonar waves may be received by sonar transducers located al the underwater vessel. Additionally, a variable geometry sonar system and method enable performing side scan sonar (SSS) and ALS by moving al least one sonar transducer to perform both SSS and ALS. The variable geometry sonar system may be used with an underwater vessel to perform mine countermeasure (MCM) missions by using ALS for a homing phase on a target.

A system for underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and wirelessly controlled subsystems is provided. The system comprises an ROV and a subsystem mounted to the ROV. The ROV includes a microcontroller, a main battery, and a transmitter-receiver. The subsystem includes a controller and a transmitter-receiver. The ROV is configured to communicate wirelessly with the subsystem via signals transmitted between the ROV transmitter-receiver and the subsystem transmitter-receiver. The system can further comprise a control center having a transmitter-receiver configured to communicate wirelessly with the ROV transmitter-receiver and the subsystem transmitter-receiver. The system can further comprise at least one relay module configured to relay signals between the transmitter-receivers of the system. The ROV of the system can also be configured to wirelessly transfer power from the main battery to the power source of the subsystem, such as by resonance coupling.

A system for underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and wirelessly controlled subsystems is provided. The system comprises an ROV and a subsystem mounted to the ROV. The ROV includes a microcontroller, a main battery, and a transmitter-receiver. The subsystem includes a controller and a transmitter-receiver. The ROV is configured to communicate wirelessly with the subsystem via signals transmitted between the ROV transmitter-receiver and the subsystem transmitter-receiver. The system can further comprise a control center having a transmitter-receiver configured to communicate wirelessly with the ROV transmitter-receiver and the subsystem transmitter-receiver. The system can further comprise at least one relay module configured to relay signals between the transmitter-receivers of the system. The ROV of the system can also be configured to wirelessly transfer power from the main battery to the power source of the subsystem, such as by resonance coupling.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the deployment of a plurality of seismic autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) on or near the seabed. In one embodiment, the AUV comprises a buoyant body coupled to a pressure vessel that contains substantially all of the AUV's electronic components. The pressure vessel may comprise a plurality of composite components coupled together by a metallic ring to provide a substantially cylindrical shape to the pressure vessel. The AUV body provides lift to the AUV during lateral movement and compensates for an overall negative buoyancy of the AUV. The AUV may include a plurality of thrusters for propulsion. A vertical thruster may be used to create an upwards attack angle during takeoff and to maintain depth and orientation during flight. During normal flight operations, the AUV is configured to travel horizontally and vertically in a body of water by using only the horizontal thrusters.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the deployment of a plurality of seismic autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) on or near the seabed. In one embodiment, the AUV comprises a buoyant body coupled to a pressure vessel that contains substantially all of the AUV's electronic components. The pressure vessel may comprise a plurality of composite components coupled together by a metallic ring to provide a substantially cylindrical shape to the pressure vessel. The AUV body provides lift to the AUV during lateral movement and compensates for an overall negative buoyancy of the AUV. The AUV may include a plurality of thrusters for propulsion. A vertical thruster may be used to create an upwards attack angle during takeoff and to maintain depth and orientation during flight. During normal flight operations, the AUV is configured to travel horizontally and vertically in a body of water by using only the horizontal thrusters.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the deployment of a plurality of seismic autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) on or near the seabed. In one embodiment, the AUV comprises a buoyant body coupled to a pressure vessel that contains substantially all of the AUV's electronic components. The pressure vessel may comprise a plurality of composite components coupled together by a metallic ring to provide a substantially cylindrical shape to the pressure vessel. The AUV body provides lift to the AUV during lateral movement and compensates for an overall negative buoyancy of the AUV. The AUV may include a plurality of thrusters for propulsion. A vertical thruster may be used to create an upwards attack angle during takeoff and to maintain depth and orientation during flight. During normal flight operations, the AUV is configured to travel horizontally and vertically in a body of water by using only the horizontal thrusters.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the deployment of a plurality of seismic autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) on or near the seabed. In one embodiment, the AUV comprises a buoyant body coupled to a pressure vessel that contains substantially all of the AUV's electronic components. The pressure vessel may comprise a plurality of composite components coupled together by a metallic ring to provide a substantially cylindrical shape to the pressure vessel. The AUV body provides lift to the AUV during lateral movement and compensates for an overall negative buoyancy of the AUV. The AUV may include a plurality of thrusters for propulsion. A vertical thruster may be used to create an upwards attack angle during takeoff and to maintain depth and orientation during flight. During normal flight operations, the AUV is configured to travel horizontally and vertically in a body of water by using only the horizontal thrusters.