# Huntington Ingalls Seaglider M1

> deep diving autonomous underwater vehicle for long term missions

**Wikidata**: [Q5973674](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5973674)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaglider)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/huntington-ingalls-seaglider-m1

## Summary
The Huntington Ingalls Seaglider M1 is a deep-diving autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed for long-duration oceanographic missions. It is a buoyancy-driven underwater glider that moves by changing its buoyancy and using wings to convert vertical motion into forward propulsion, allowing it to operate for extended periods with minimal power consumption.

## Key Facts
- Classified as an underwater glider, a subclass of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)
- Developed by the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory and School of Oceanography, first conceived in 1997
- Measures 1.8 meters in length (2.8 meters with antenna), 0.30 meters in diameter, with a 1.0-meter wingspan
- Weighs 52 kilograms dry weight
- Travels at an average speed of 25 centimeters per second
- Originally manufactured by iRobot from 2008 to 2013, then Kongsberg Maritime from 2013 to 2020
- Currently manufactured by Huntington Ingalls Industries since March 2020 following acquisition

## FAQs
### Q: How does the Seaglider M1 propel itself underwater?
A: The Seaglider M1 uses a buoyancy engine that changes its density to ascend and descend in the water column. Its wings convert this vertical motion into forward movement, allowing it to glide through the water with minimal energy consumption.

### Q: What is the operational depth range of the Seaglider M1?
A: While the source material confirms it is a "deep diving" vehicle, specific depth ratings are not provided in the available documentation.

### Q: How long can the Seaglider M1 operate autonomously?
A: The source material indicates it is designed for "long term missions," but specific endurance times are not provided in the available data.

### Q: What makes the Seaglider M1 different from propeller-driven AUVs?
A: Unlike propeller-driven AUVs, the Seaglider M1 uses buoyancy changes for propulsion, resulting in extremely low power consumption that enables extended mission durations without battery replacement.

## Why It Matters
The Seaglider M1 represents a significant advancement in oceanographic research technology, enabling scientists to collect continuous data over extended periods without the need for ships or human intervention. Its low-power design allows for missions lasting months, providing unprecedented temporal resolution in ocean monitoring. This capability is crucial for understanding climate change impacts, tracking ocean currents, monitoring marine ecosystems, and collecting data for weather forecasting. The technology's transfer from academic research (University of Washington) through commercial manufacturers (iRobot, Kongsberg) to its current production by Huntington Ingalls Industries demonstrates the maturation of autonomous underwater vehicle technology from experimental to operational status. The Seaglider M1's efficiency and endurance make it an essential tool for modern oceanography, allowing researchers to study remote or harsh ocean environments that would be impractical or dangerous for manned missions.

## Notable For
- One of the first commercially successful underwater gliders, transitioning from university research to industrial production
- Extremely low power consumption enabling months-long autonomous missions
- Successfully transferred through multiple manufacturers while maintaining core design principles
- Represents the commercialization of academic research from the University of Washington
- Current production by Huntington Ingalls Industries marks entry into defense contractor manufacturing

## Body
### Development History
The Seaglider M1 originated in 1997 at the University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory and School of Oceanography. This academic development phase established the fundamental buoyancy-driven propulsion concept that defines the platform. The technology represents one of the early successful implementations of underwater glider technology for oceanographic research.

### Technical Specifications
The vehicle's compact design measures 1.8 meters in length, extending to 2.8 meters when including the antenna assembly. With a diameter of 0.30 meters and wingspan of 1.0 meter, the 52-kilogram vehicle presents a slender profile optimized for efficient underwater travel. The average operational speed of 25 centimeters per second (approximately 0.5 knots) reflects the trade-off between energy efficiency and mission duration.

### Manufacturing Evolution
The commercial journey of the Seaglider M1 began when iRobot, known for robotic vacuum cleaners and military robots, took over manufacturing from June 2008 to May 2013. This period marked the transition from research prototype to commercial product. Kongsberg Maritime, a Norwegian maritime technology company, acquired the manufacturing rights in May 2013, producing the units until March 2020. The current manufacturer, Huntington Ingalls Industries, acquired the technology in March 2020, representing the entry of a major defense contractor into the underwater glider market.

### Operational Concept
As an underwater glider, the Seaglider M1 operates on fundamentally different principles than traditional propeller-driven AUVs. By adjusting its buoyancy to alternately sink and rise, while using its wings to convert vertical motion into forward progress, the vehicle can traverse thousands of kilometers while consuming minimal energy. This approach enables extended missions lasting weeks or months, making it ideal for long-term ocean monitoring applications.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080612132840.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.washington.edu/news/2013/05/22/news-digest-seaglider-technology-licensed-register-for-summer-youth-programs-lecture-revisits-the-boldt-decision-u-of-minnesota-president-to-speak/)
3. [Source](http://seaglider.washington.edu/story/News.html)
4. [Source](https://intelligencecommunitynews.com/huntington-ingalls-closes-hydroid-acquisition/)
5. [Source](https://apl.uw.edu/project/project.php?id=seaglider)
6. [Source](https://www.ocean.washington.edu/story/Seaglider_Licensed_to_Kongsberg)
7. [Source](http://seaglider.washington.edu/story/Seaglider_Specifications.html)
8. [Source](https://www.kongsberg.com/globalassets/maritime/km-products/documents/seaglider_product_specification.pdf)