Bluefin 21 AUV - Search for MH370

Jason Bach

          ASCI 605 – Unmanned Systems Sensing, Perception, and Processing

         Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

9/16/2016

            Maritime autonomous unmanned vehicles have been used more recently for different situations due to the advanced technology being used which has greatly improved their efficiency, consumer confidence, and uses. The Bluefin 21 was put in the limelight for aiding in the oceanic search for Malaysian Flight MH370 which crashed into the Indian Ocean with 239 passengers on March 8^th of 2014 (Pearlman, 2014). The Bluefin 21 dove to depths of 14,800 feet covering 42 square miles on its first four dives in search of MH370 wreckage (Pearlman, 2014). The following Figure1 depicts the Bluefin 21 search diagram.  

 

Figure 1. Bluefin 21 search for MH370. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/44952-how-the-bluefin-21-searches-for-flight-370-wreckage-on-the-ocean-floor-infographic.html

Sensor Systems for the Bluefin 21

The sensor package used on the Bluefin 21 consisted of  side scan sonar, an acoustic modem for communication at depths, a sub-bottom profiler, a Synthetic aperture sonar, an imaging sonar, a multi-beam echosounder, a video camera, and a still camera (General Dynamics, 2016). A towed hypersensitive hydrophone from the support vessel can detect signals up to 6,000 meters deep relayed from the AUV. The Bluefin 21 uses an Inertial Navigation Sensor for navigation accuracy underwater along with a USBL system, a LBL system, a Doppler Velocity Logger, an altimeter, a pressure sensor, a compass, an Inertial Measurement Unit, an Acoustic tracking transponder, and a GPS (General Dynamics, 2016). The operator tool suite provides a laptop interface for planning, monitoring and execution, data management, and post-mission analysis of the Bluefin 21 with real time data provided to the operator during the mission. The following Figure 2 depicts the Bluefin 21 while being deployed.

Figure 2. Bluefin 21. Adapted from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/

malaysia/10774740/Malaysia-Airlines-MH370-Bluefin-21-submarine-reprogrammed-to-reach-record-depth.html

Possible Improvements to the Bluefin 21

            The Bluefin 21 is a very versatile and successful AUV. Two possible additions to make it even better would be extending the operational time underwater with an alternate power system to compliment the lithium battery life which is currently at 25 hours of operation. Another option to add would be a deployable arm to grasp and retrieve small objects or move debris on the ocean bottom. These additions would improve options available for different missions required.

Combining Maritime Unmanned Systems with UAV’s to Enhance Operations

            Maritime systems could be used in conjunction with unmanned aerial systems to enhance their effectiveness. Data could be collected or relayed from AUV to UAV over longer distances possibly at a faster speed depending on environmental conditions operated in. Working together would be more feasible as the UAV could use the AUV to identify objects up close once the UAV has located it from the air. Once objects are found by the UAV the AUV could then retrieve the object if capable and return to the support vessel. Twice the sensors and capabilities with combined usage of AUV’s and UAV’s can only be better especially in search and rescue situations on the ocean or other large body of water.

Advantages of Unmanned Maritime Systems vs Manned Systems

            Unmanned maritime systems have advantages over manned maritime systems in some areas of operation. One obvious advantage is no human life is danger while the unmanned system is operating in or under water. A second advantage is the versatility, small size, and less funding needed to procure and operate the maritime unmanned systems. Again if military operations are involved no human lives are in danger of being injured or lost during weapon deployment or if the enemy attacks the boat, ship, or submarine involved. Unmanned maritime systems never get tired, rarely break down, can be programmed to multitask, and can be used in several applications with different sensor payloads. The maritime unmanned systems are comprised of multiple sensor packages of which many sensors perform better than manned maritime vessels with the unmanned system operating at a fraction of the cost in comparison to its manned equivalent.   

References

General Dynamics. (2016). Bluefin Robotics. Retrieved from http://www.bluefinrobotics.com

/vehicles-batteries-and-services/bluefin-21

Pearlman, J. (2014, April 18).  Malaysia Airlines MH370: Bluefin-21 submarine reprogrammed

to reach record depth. The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk /news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/10774740/Malaysia-Airlines-MH370-Bluefin-21-submarine-reprogrammed-to-reach-record-depth.html

Tate, Karl. (2014, April 18). How the Bluefin-21 searches for Flight 370 wreckage on the

ocean floor. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/44952-how-the-bluefin-21-searches-for-flight-370-wreckage-on-the-ocean-floor-infographic.html