SeaExplorer X2
Buoyancy Glider
The SeaExplorer X2 is an unmanned buoyancy glider that can be deployed autonomously for up to 160 days with a 3200 km range. It features a unique wingless design, internal battery recharging and the largest selection of third-party instruments available to any glider
Each unit in the product family leverages a core, common set of electronics in a flexible form factor. This, combined with multiple packaging options, provides a cost-effective and extremely capable instrument to address a wide variety of oceanographic applications, from shallow water to full- ocean depth. Rowe Technologies ADCPs are available with single or dual frequencies between 75 and 1200kHz and in three different depth package options – 300 m, 3000 m, and 6000 m.
RS Aqua are also able to provide ClearSignal® anti-fouling coating to ADCPs as an in-house service to reduce the impact of biofouling on your instrument.
Key Feature
- Unique wingless design
- No external moving parts
- Fast recharge time between missions
These buoyancy gliders are unmanned underwater vehicles with very long endurance, allowing them to be autonomously deployed for up to 160 days and 3200 km.
Propelled by the largest available buoyancy drive, the SeaExplorer silently glides up and down in the water column, and has a proximity sensor in the nose to help slow its descent when near the seabed. Changes to its ballast orientation control its angle of motion.
The glider is controlled by two independent CPUs, one for navigation and the other for payload, and includes large wet & dry payload sections. This is all housed in a highly manoeuvrable and compact wingless design, with two pairs of small rear mounted tail fins providing stability during profiling and ease of deployment for shallow and deep water operations. SeaExplorer X2 can be equipped with up to 6 sensors, and has the largest selection of third party instruments able to be implemented on any glider.
Connectivity
SeaExplorer X2 features open source firmware and bottom sensor integration, to provide users a reliable and robust platform for surveys in remote locations and challenging conditions. The glider also includes external battery recharging and Ethernet port access for data download. This removes the need for vehicle opening, therefore significantly reducing costs, logistical requirements and time in between deployments. During surfacing, the glider can alter its orientation to point the antenna skyward, which allows two-way satellite communication for data transmission and rec>eipt of mission updates. To save battery, the platform can switch to a bottoming mode and remain dormant for up to 6 months on the sea floor to save battery.