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Navy’s New Underwater Drone Technology By Martin Holguin January 14, 2014 For years now, the US Air Force has been able to use unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, to gain information and accomplish tasks from the sky without putting American lives at risk, and the US Navy has been looking for a way to do the same underwater. And a recent contract announcement with Teledyne Benthos, Inc. reveals we’re closer than ever to having our wish fulfilled. Run by Douglas Webb, the Webb Research division has developed a long-‐endurance underwater Slocum Glider about five feet in length capable of collecting and transmitting information and instructions for weeks or months or even years at a time. Drawing their energy from the oceanic thermocline (layers of warm and cold water near the surface), the gliders’ movement relies on on a process called hydraulic buoyancy, during which changes in water temperature cause changes in density in the glider. As the glider bobs up and down, wings translate this movement into forward momentum of about 1 mile per hour. Information is transmitted via an antenna which periodically breaks the surface with the aid of an air bladder at the tail. The project has been in the works since 2009, and is closer than ever to coming to fruition. A fleet of such gliders could help track down minefields, enemy subs, or simply collect data about water and land properties vital to navigation of larger water crafts. This new technology, once implemented, could save the Navy hundreds of millions of dollars normally spent on traditional, manned surface ships, and could take an increasing number of our Marines out of harm’s way. Lt Cmdr Martin Holguin has served in the United States Navy since 1999 aboard five U.S. warships in positions ranging from division officer to commanding officer. He also served with the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group as a Director Fellow. Martin is currently a prospective EMBA candidate at the University of Notre Dame, where he will graduate from in May. For fun and for fitness, Martin enjoys ocean swimming as well as distance running along the coast.