A recovery system for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) includes an elongate recovery container sized to contain the UUV, and a recovery cable coupled to the elongate recovery container, where the recovery cable is retractable into the elongate recovery container to capture and stow the UUV within the elongate recovery container. The system also includes the UUV, which includes a forward looking sonar system configured to locate the recovery cable and a capture clip coupled to a nose portion of the UUV, where the capture clip is configured to be releasably secured to the recovery cable. The UUV further includes at least one ballast tank capable of trimming the UUV to a vertical orientation.

A recovery system for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) includes an elongate recovery container sized to contain the UUV, and a recovery cable coupled to the elongate recovery container, where the recovery cable is retractable into the elongate recovery container to capture and stow the UUV within the elongate recovery container. The system also includes the UUV, which includes a forward looking sonar system configured to locate the recovery cable and a capture clip coupled to a nose portion of the UUV, where the capture clip is configured to be releasably secured to the recovery cable. The UUV further includes at least one ballast tank capable of trimming the UUV to a vertical orientation.

A flying underwater imager device operates in two modes, a tow mode and a free fly mode. In the tow mode for locating underwater objects, the imager device opens foldable wings for remaining depressed below the surface when the wings generate a negative buoyancy. Otherwise, neutral buoyancy characteristics bring the imager device back to surface. In the free fly mode for approaching and imaging underwater objects, the imager device closes the foldable wings and uses thrusters for moving into position to image the underwater objects.

A flying underwater imager device operates in two modes, a tow mode and a free fly mode. In the tow mode for locating underwater objects, the imager device opens foldable wings for remaining depressed below the surface when the wings generate a negative buoyancy. Otherwise, neutral buoyancy characteristics bring the imager device back to surface. In the free fly mode for approaching and imaging underwater objects, the imager device closes the foldable wings and uses thrusters for moving into position to image the underwater objects.

Systems and methods for deploying seismic autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to the seabed by using a variety of guidance systems and/or positioning/communication protocols based on a particular AUV's location. A combination of a USBL system and a phased array system may be used to deploy different groups of AUVs on one or more deployment lines of a seismic survey area. The deployment lines may be generally perpendicular or parallel to a deployment vessel's direction of travel. Once a certain number of AUVs have landed on the seabed, the landed AUVs may be used to guide flying AUVs to their intended seabed destination by using acoustic pingers and phased array techniques. Time intervals for acoustic signals emitted from landed AUVs may be generated using a predetermined Time of Emission pattern and received by a phased array receiver on flying AUVs.

Systems and methods for deploying seismic autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to the seabed by using a variety of guidance systems and/or positioning/communication protocols based on a particular AUV's location. A combination of a USBL system and a phased array system may be used to deploy different groups of AUVs on one or more deployment lines of a seismic survey area. The deployment lines may be generally perpendicular or parallel to a deployment vessel's direction of travel. Once a certain number of AUVs have landed on the seabed, the landed AUVs may be used to guide flying AUVs to their intended seabed destination by using acoustic pingers and phased array techniques. Time intervals for acoustic signals emitted from landed AUVs may be generated using a predetermined Time of Emission pattern and received by a phased array receiver on flying AUVs.

An active towed sonar comprises an emission antenna integrated into a submersible object called a towfish, a submersible receive antenna called a streamer and a tow cable to tow the towfish and the streamer. The tow cable comprises a termination connected mechanically and electrically to the streamer. The termination comprises means of removable mechanical and electrical connection of the towfish to the tow cable, independently of the connection of the streamer.

An active towed sonar comprises an emission antenna integrated into a submersible object called a towfish, a submersible receive antenna called a streamer and a tow cable to tow the towfish and the streamer. The tow cable comprises a termination connected mechanically and electrically to the streamer. The termination comprises means of removable mechanical and electrical connection of the towfish to the tow cable, independently of the connection of the streamer.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a pressure tolerant energy system. The pressure tolerant energy system may comprise a pressure tolerant cavity and an energy system enclosed in the pressure tolerant cavity configured to provide electrical power to the vehicle. The energy system may include one or more battery cells and a pressure tolerant, programmable management circuit. The pressure tolerant cavity may be filled with an electrically-inert liquid, such as mineral oil. In some embodiments, the electrically-inert liquid may be kept at a positive pressure relative to a pressure external to the pressure tolerant cavity. The energy system may further comprise a pressure venting system configured to maintain the pressure inside the pressure tolerant cavity within a range of pressures. The pressure tolerant cavity may be sealed to prevent water ingress.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a pressure tolerant energy system. The pressure tolerant energy system may comprise a pressure tolerant cavity and an energy system enclosed in the pressure tolerant cavity configured to provide electrical power to the vehicle. The energy system may include one or more battery cells and a pressure tolerant, programmable management circuit. The pressure tolerant cavity may be filled with an electrically-inert liquid, such as mineral oil. In some embodiments, the electrically-inert liquid may be kept at a positive pressure relative to a pressure external to the pressure tolerant cavity. The energy system may further comprise a pressure venting system configured to maintain the pressure inside the pressure tolerant cavity within a range of pressures. The pressure tolerant cavity may be sealed to prevent water ingress.