AQUA EXPLORER 2 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.(MES) fabricated an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) named AQUA EXPLORER 2 (AE2)which was developed by KDD for inspection of underwater cable.
AE2 first launched in March 1997, and has carried out cable inspections, seabed survey, investigation of marine ecology (whale, king crab, giant spider crab)in Japan and Taiwan Strait. Particularly, through the inspection in Taiwan Strait where there is strong tidal current, AE2 succeeded in the cable inspection over 400km.
Features
1. The fairing and most of the internal structure are made of Polyethylene.
2. The magnetometers for cable-tracking are both placed in the horizontal fore wing.
3. The vehicle and the mother vessel are connected by two acoustic links. One of them is used for monitoring and control. Another link is used for transmission of video signal.
4. The vertical and horizontal motions are controlled with PID and fuzzy controllers.
PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS
Dimensions ... 3.0 m (L) x 1.3 m (W) x 0.9 m (H)
Weight ... 260 kg
Cruising speed ... Max. 3 knots
Operation depth ... 500 m
Endurance & power source ...
1) 24 hours with non-rechargeable Lithium Battery
2) 8 hours with rechargeable Lithium Battery
