Unmanned Maritime Systems Search and Rescue

Summary

            In March 2014, Malaysian Airline flight 370 went missing with 239 people on board (ABC News, 4/2/16).  Since that time, the search for the wreckage has been ongoing from the air, on the surface of the water, and from under the surface of the water using both manned and unmanned vehicles (CBS News, 4/14/14).  The Bluefin-21, made by Bluefin Robotics, was used in the search to create a three-dimensional sonar map of the ocean floor where searchers hoped to find the wreckage.  This paper will discuss the Bluefin-21s capabilities, and how it was used in the search for the missing aircraft.

Discussion

            The Bluefin-21 is modular, and has an operational endurance of up to 25 hours (Bluefin Robotics).  The proprioceptive Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) provides dead reckoning drift which is estimated to be less 0.1% of distance traveled (Bluefin Robotics).  It also houses integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) and Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) which provides accurate position updates.

            The standard sensor suite includes side scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler, and an echosounder.  CBS News reported each dive of the Bluefin-21 allows it to search for 16 hours, covering a 15-square mile grid, at 15,000 feet below the surface of the water.  While this is an exceptional capability, the Bluefin-21 lacks the capability to retrieve any wreckage should it find any.  There are other AUVs that possess articulating arms, which is one added capability I would add to future systems.

Conclusion

            Several countries have assisted in the search for the lost Malaysian Airlines flight, with both manned and unmanned systems, from the air, on the surface of the water, and beneath the surface.  On a few occasions searchers received signals thought to be from the flight data recorder.  Recently, what is thought to be aircraft fragments have drifted onto shore, though the crash site has yet to be found.  When it is found, it is likely AUVs such as the Bluefin-21 will be employed once again.

 

References

ABC News, (4/2/16).  Malaysia Airlines MH370: Debris Found in Mauritius to be Examined by Investigators.  Retrieved 4/3/16:  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-03/mh370-investigators-to-examine-wreckage-found-in-mauritius/7295306

Bluefin-21, (n.d.). Bluefin Robotics.  Retrieved 4/3/16:  http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/vehicles-batteries-and-services/bluefin-21

CBS News, (4/14/14).  Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 Search Goes Deep with Bluefin 21 Robotic Sub as Black Boxes Fall Silent.  CBS News.  Retrieved 4/3/16:  http://www.cbsnews.com/news/malaysia-airlines-flight-370-search-bluefin-21-robotic-sub-black-boxes-silent/