Survey
NMFS is pursuing tests of several passive acoustic equipped underwater gliders as part of its Uncrewed Systems Strategic Initiative, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.
NMFS will be carrying out performance testing across glider systems during two 2-week ‘glider rodeos’ planned for the U.S. west coast and Hawaii in 2025-26.
NMFS-funded testing will include Slocum, Seaglider, OceanScout (Hefring) and SeaExplorer (Alseamar) platforms with DMONS2, WISPR, and Alseamar’s acoustic acquisition systems.
A pre-designed survey path will provide for resampling of the same area by each glider platform over the 2 week effort. Glider performance and acoustic detection metrics will be measured for each system to enable comparison and inform future glider acquisitions and use by NMFS.