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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.
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E_NOSIG
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!
eBay...
Rumour has it that the shark community will be code-naming these gliders:
"Lunch"