Drone Craft For Dual Flight and Subsea Operations: Polar Adaption and Trials

Abstract

This paper presents trials of a novel drone craft that can both fly and also submerge itself and operate subsea or on the surface. It is designed for missions to make ocean science measurements close to shore (within 25km) and a relatively low sea-depth (less than 150m). It can carry a sensor payload to make ocean measurements or a camera system. Trials were undertaken in the arctic to investigate the suitability of such a craft for polar operation and to determine any necessary modifications.