Challenges of Autonomous Marine Vehicles

Unmanned Marine Vehicles (UMVs) are crewless vessels that operate on or under the water's surface for tasks like research, surveillance, and logistics. They are categorized as unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) that operate on the surface, and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) that operate submerged. UUVs further break down into remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), which are tethered and controlled from a distance, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), which operate independently.

The main challenges faced by autonomous marine vehicles (both surface and underwater) are as follows:

• The ability to work and survive in stormy seas (surface vehicles) and in strong currents (emphasis on underwater vehicles).

• Long operating duration (primarily underwater vehicles).

• Precise navigation systems (particularly for underwater vehicles).

• Miniaturization of sensors while maintaining high levels of performance and reliability.

• Robustness and ability to endure long-term and long-range missions with respect to reliability, performance and energy.

• Versatility and modularity: Modular ability to be fitted with various sensors and equipment and according to the mission required of the vehicle.

• Secure and encoded communication; and the ability to work autonomously in a network, including coordination between all of the vessels.

• Stealth: Low signature which hinders the adversary's detection systems (optical, acoustic and radar).