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More on Underwater Gliders

ianjk writes "Abcnews.com is reporting on two underwater gliders developed by the University of Washington and Webb Research. Both use very little energy and have quite long ranges (thousands of kilometers). Of course, the US Navy is showing quite an interest in the project." We mentioned these earlier.

19 of 192 comments (clear)

  1. The Future is now! by Prizm · · Score: 2, Funny

    Makes snorkeling a whole lot less interesting..

  2. But.. But.. But.. by wiredog · · Score: 3, Funny

    Some guy over at kurofivehin, I think he calls himself "UndesirableUsername", said that water transport was The Way Of The Future!

  3. Starkist "Glider Safe" Tuna by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    So what happens when the navy's underwater-spy-glider-drones are picked up in a fishing net?

    1. Re:Starkist "Glider Safe" Tuna by SniffleBear · · Score: 2, Funny

      Disguise the dolphins as voluptuous blonde mermaids with a razor edged chastity belt.

    2. Re:Starkist "Glider Safe" Tuna by ion++ · · Score: 5, Funny

      eBay...

  4. Screw this! by ekrout · · Score: 1, Funny

    Forget about this skinny little "underwater glider".

    What every geek really wants is their own luxury submarine!

    --

    If you celebrate Xmas, befriend me (538
  5. How About... by SniffleBear · · Score: 3, Funny

    Evil sharks with laser beams attached to their heads!

    Heh, really though, why not put the instruments on dolphins. I watched a History Channel program on the Russians strapping surveillance equipment to dolphins and even using radio "mind control" to tell them where to go. Radio controlled dolphins. You'll have an endless supply of them!

    1. Re:How About... by Angry+White+Guy · · Score: 3, Funny

      As long as you could keep them out of tuna nets.

      --
      You think that I'm crazy, you should see this guy!
  6. Navy is run by Barbie. by teamhasnoi · · Score: 2, Funny

    She loves the hot pink underwater glider! It will match all of her outfits, her car, her RV, her house, her guitar, Ken's cardigan and her jetski. I wonder when Presidential Barbie will start bombing Iraq?

    1. Re:Navy is run by Barbie. by teamhasnoi · · Score: 3, Funny

      More moderation of this comment is necessary. +1 Interesting, +1 Insightful, -1 Flamebait, and -1 Overrated are needed for a winning hand in Slashdot Poker®(TM).

  7. Pax Americana* by Rupert · · Score: 5, Funny

    *Offer void where prohibited, particularly Cuba. Residents of non-oil-producing countries may experience delays. Not responsible for loss of life or limb in the event that USA fails to support your attempted coup. All oil reserves become the property of Halliburton and Arbusto Inc. Countries in Axis of Evil may be changed without notice, and at the promoters sole discretion. Full rules are kept in a locked closet in the basement of Karl Rove's house and may not be inspected. For a free game piece, send a stamped, addressed envelope to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington DC. No purchase necessary, although failure to purchase large quantities of US goods will severely impair your chances of winning.

    --

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    E_NOSIG
  8. Wow so fast by Zakabog · · Score: 5, Funny

    Charles Eriksen, an oceanography professor and one of the developers of the Seaglider, says that such a propulsion system isn't fast. At best, the glider can make about half a knot -- slightly more than half a mile an hour.

    But since it will use only one-half watt of electrical energy to produce that speed, Eriksen says the Seaglider has a range of "thousands of kilometers" and remain in the ocean gather data for much longer.

    "We can operate one of these for a year and across whole ocean basins," says Eriksen.


    I can picture this thing going for a year...

    Some Navy Officer: We've got a special mission for you, we sent out an underwater glider a year ago to collect data on enemy sub movement, we need you to recover the glider.

    Navy Seal: Sir yes sir!

    *goes into the water, takes 10 steps forward, reaches down, picks up glider*

    Navy Seal: Sir I have recovered the glider sir!

  9. I just... by UniverseIsADoughnut · · Score: 3, Funny

    ..Want to see one swallowed by a whale. Imaging the face on the researcher. Then imagine the face on the whale when this thing expands it's ballast to rise.

    Though this would make for an interesting part of ones thesis paper.

  10. Finally! by gillbates · · Score: 4, Funny
    The glider then rises to the surface and transmits its finding back to the lab using the Iridium satellite communications system

    So someone finally found a use for the Iridium satellites after all!

    --
    The society for a thought-free internet welcomes you.
  11. Code name by verloren · · Score: 5, Funny

    Rumour has it that the shark community will be code-naming these gliders:

    "Lunch"

  12. Re:This will ease the Greenies pressure on the Nav by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    the greenies may try to pressure the navy, but in the end the navy doesnt GIVE A SHIT.

    there is nothing the greenies can do

  13. ITS PINK by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    I would have made it camoflauged, anyone know why its pink? Maybe PhysicsGenius can tell me that the pink color lowers the viscosity by a factor of 37% or something...

  14. Re:Navy not looking for much... by diablo943 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Oh no! I will start making some cupcakes right away! When is the bake sale?! I know little Timmy won't mind if we give the Navy all those soup labels we have been saving so Timmy's 5th Grade class can get a computer for their classroom. I didn't realize you guys had it so tough...

    --
    The line between terrorist and patriot depends on which side of the molatov cocktail you are on.
  15. Re:This will ease the Greenies pressure on the Nav by capnjack41 · · Score: 2, Funny
    CIA's attempt to train dolphins to blow up Castro's yacht

    But are they ill-tempered, or do they have laser beams attached to their heads?

    (sorry)