Field Testing of the Autonomous Benthic Explorer

伍兹霍尔海洋研究所的应用海洋物理与工程系将继续进行一项仪器和技术开发项目，设计和建造一种无人驾驶、无系留的交通工具，用于执行和维护长期的深海底栖生物实验。这艘船被命名为ABE，即自主底栖探险家。设计标准要求它从任何海洋研究船上发射，并能够在现场停留几个月。在这段时间内，它必须周期性地在其声学导航网中移动，拍照并进行各种科学测量。在任务结束时，它将被命令回收。ABE将补充和扩展载人潜水器的能力，特别是DSV ALVIN，以及远程操作系绳系统。ABE应有能力长期留在深海研究地点或返回先前调查的地点观察变化。这一开发项目是对计划中的研究活动的预期，这些活动需要长期观察海底特征，如热液喷口和洋中脊。

The Applied Ocean Physics & Engineering Department at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will continue an instrumentation and technology development project to design and construct an unmanned, untethered vehicle for performing and servicing long-term deep ocean benthic experiments. This vehicle has been named ABE for the Autonomous Benthic Explorer. Design criteria call for it to be launched from any oceanographic research ship and be able to remain on site for several months. During this time span it must period- ically move about in its acoustic navigation net, taking pictures and making a variety of scientific measurements. At the end of its mission, it is to be recovered on command. ABE will complement and extend the capabilities of manned submer- sibles, particularly DSV ALVIN, as well as remotely operated, tethered systems. ABE shall have the ability to remain at a deep sea research site for long periods of time or to return to a previously surveyed site to observe changes. This development project is in anticipation of planned research initiatives requiring long-term observations of seafloor features such as hydrothermal vents and mid-ocean ridges.