Qianlong-1 in sea test (Image from internet)

According to source aboard the research vessel Haiyang-6, the unmanned autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Qianlong-1 completed its experimental application mission during the 2nd section of Haiyang-6’s 32nd voyage, on September 19th, 2014. The AUV broke several records in the mission, including the longest single dive working hour, the longest navigating mile, the longest acoustic and optical monitoring distance, etc.

Qianlong-1 had conducted nine dives, five of which for experimental application purpose, in 30 days, and had explored in China’s polymetal nodule province in the depth of over 5,000 meters for 104 hours in total. 101.5 kilometers acoustic survey, as well as 55.3 kilometers optical survey was conducted. During the mission, the AUV reached a largest depth of 5,213 meters, and worked non-stop for a longest 31 hours. It had operated around the clock in ocean bottom for three times.

Co-developed by Shenyang Institute of Automation (SIA), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Institute of Acoustics of CAS and Harbin Engineering University, etc, Qianlong-1 can travel to a depth of 6,000 meters, and is designed to explore the sea bed and collect hydrological data.

When interviewed by reporter for China.org.cn, Xu Huixi, chief designer of the AUV and a researcher from SIA, said that, Qianlong-1 broke several records during the experimental application, including the longest working hour for a single dive, the longest navigating mile, acoustic and optical monitoring distance, as well as the largest diving depth. During the mission, the AUV demonstrated safe and smooth deployment and retrieval, and its body showed high stability and efficiency, meaning that Qianlong-1 had come closer to becoming practical equipment. The successful application of Qianlong-1 will help scientists in exploring seafloor resources, monitoring seafloor ocean elements, evaluating resource volume and conducting commercial exploitation, in the future.

Source: Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Department, Office of General Affairs