A Review on Recent Advancements in Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Design
Abstract
Recent advancements in miniature hardware technologies pushed the development of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) towards more innovative designs to cater for unique mission definitions. Considering the recent 10 years of work done by various researchers in the literatures, presented in this paper is an overview of several state of the art technologies involved in the development of UUVs. Design studies are presented, whereby divided into various aspects including structure/hull shapes, propulsion, and motion/hydrodynamics. Emphases are given to the selection of shapes/geometry and the materials used. The advantages and the disadvantages of the components were discussed with respect to hydrodynamic forces acting on the UUVs such as resistance, stability, and motion. In terms of propulsion aspects of the UUVs, the discussions are focused on the related components used and the energy supply on-board of the UUVs.
##Keywords:##
Unmanned Underwater Vehicles; Recent Trends; Underwater Robotics.
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Published
May 30, 2016
How to Cite
PUZAI, N. M.; AYOB, A. F.; ARSHAD, M. R..
A Review on Recent Advancements in Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Design.
Journal of Ocean, Mechanical and Aerospace -science and engineering-, [S.l.], v. 31, n. 1, p. 1 - 8, may 2016.
ISSN 2527-6085.
Available at: <https://isomase.org/Journals/index.php/jomase/article/view/411>. Date accessed: 22 june 2026.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.36842/jomase.v31i1.411.
References
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[7] B. Xin, L. Xiaohui, S. Zhaocun and Z. Yuquan, "A Vectored Water Propulsion Method For Autonomous Underwater Vehicle," Ocean Engineering, no. 74, p. 133–140, 2013.
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[11] D. J.F.Toal, C. Flanagan, W. B.Lyons, S. Nolan and E. Lewis, "Proximal Object and Hazard Detection For Autonomous Underwater Vehicle With Optical Fibre Sensors," Robotics and Autonomous Systems, no. 53, p. 214–229, 2005.
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[19] P. Kodati, J. Hinkle, A. Winn and X. Deng, "Micro Autonomous Robotic Ostraciiform (MARCO): Hydrodynamics, Design and Fabrication," IEEE Transactions on Robotics, vol. 1, no. 24, pp. 105-117, 2008.
[20] N. Kato, H. Liu and H. Morikawa, "Biology-Inspired Precision Maneuvering of Underwater Vehicles," Bio-Mechanisms Of Swimming And Flying, pp. 111-125, 2004.
[21] A. Suleman and C. Crawford, "Design and Testing of a Biomettic Tuna Using Shape Memory Alloy Induced Propulsion," Computers and Structure, vol. 86, pp. 491-499, 2008.
[22] M. Santhakumar and T. Asokan, "Power Efficient Dynamic Station Keeping Control Of a Flat-Fish Type Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Through Design Modification Of Thruster Configuration," Ocean Engineering, pp. 11-21, 2013
[23] D. Sgarioto and C. Madden, "Full-scale manoeuvring trials for the Wayamba Unmanned Underwater Vehicle," Underwater Technology, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 67-79, 2014.
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[26] S. N. Cubero, "Design Concept For A Hybrid Swimming And Vechicle," Procedia Engineering, no. 41, pp. 1211-1220, 2012.
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[35] M. Chuljin, K. In- Hoon, C. Bae- Hyeon, K. Jin- Hwe and C. Jin-Ho, "Buckling Of Filement-Wound Composite Cylinders Subjected to Hydroustatic Pressure For Underwater Vechicle Applications," Composite Structure, vol. 92, pp. 2241-2251, 2010.
[36] J. Stachiw, "Acrylic plastic as structural material for underwater vehicles," International Symposium on Underwater Technology, pp. 289-296, 2004.
[37] A. Bradley, M. Feezor, H. Singh and F. Sorrell, "Power Systems for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles," Oceanic Engineering, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 526-538, 2001.
[38] Q. Hasvold and N. Storkersen, "Electrochemical Power Source for Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Used in Deep Sea Survey Operations," Journal of Power Sources, no. 96, pp. 252-258, 2001.
[39] F. Garcia-Cordova and A. Guerrero-Gonzalez, "Intelligent Navigation for a Solar Powered Unmanned Underwater Vehicle," Advance Robotic Systems, vol. 10, no. 185, pp. 1-13, 2013.
[40] C.-H. Lee and J.-T. Yang, "Modeling Of The Ballard-Mark-V Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell With Power Converters For Applications In Autonomous Underwater Vehicles," Journal Of Power Source, no. 196, pp. 3810-3823, 2011.
[41] N. Khare and P. Singh, "Modeling And Optimization Of A Hybrid Power System For An Unmanned Surface," Journal of Power Sources, no. 198, pp. 368-377, 2012.
[42] Q. Cai, D. Brett, D. Browning and N. Brandon, "A Sizing-Design Methodology For Hybrid Fuel Cell Power Systems And Its Application To An Unmaaned Underwater Vehicle," Journal Of Power Sources, no. 195, pp. 6559-6569, 2010.
[43] M. Caccial, G. Casalino, R. Cristi and G. Veruggio, "Acoustic Motion Estimation And Control For Unmanned Underwater Vehicle In a Structured Environment," Control Engineering Practice, pp. 661-670, 1998.
