Article By: Amanda D. Stein Undersea Warfare student Lt. Timothy
Rochholz is exploring the research potential of a new wave-
propelled unmanned surface vehicle which industry hopes can
replace moored buoys for maritime surveillance. The company
behind the systems, Liquid Robotics, recently deployed four
units across the Pacific on an experimental data-gathering
mission to Japan and Australia. Rochholz will utilize the data
gathered in his thesis, tentatively titled “Wave Powered
Unmanned Surface Vehicle Operation in the Open Ocean,” where he
will explore the feasibility of using unmanned systems in place
of the network of expensive, vulnerable moored research buoys.
The systems, called Wave Gliders, are wave propelled, and
include a series of solar panels capable of powering the payload
of sensors and tools for data collection. Rochholz expects to
find that the gliders are well-equipped to handle long stints at
sea, and copious amounts of data. “Previous data suggests the
vehicle can fulfill the role. We are j