Re:Manta Ray Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle Prototype Completes...
by krisoft on Friday May 03, 2024 @12:31PM
(#40249499)
> even when they aren't generating lift.
Yes. But these do generate lift. This is basically an underwater glider[1]. It can change it's buoyancy which would make it sink/raise straight down/up. It uses then its wings to turn this vertical speed into horizontal propulsion. It basically flies underwater in a sawtooth pattern (when seen in a side view).
This is a very energy efficient way to go the distance. These machines can loiter for months on a single charge typically. They only need to spend energy on the top and bottom points of their vertical swoops to change their buoyancy.
Yes. But these do generate lift. This is basically an underwater glider[1]. It can change it's buoyancy which would make it sink/raise straight down/up. It uses then its wings to turn this vertical speed into horizontal propulsion. It basically flies underwater in a sawtooth pattern (when seen in a side view).
This is a very energy efficient way to go the distance. These machines can loiter for months on a single charge typically. They only need to spend energy on the top and bottom points of their vertical swoops to change their buoyancy.
1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwater_glider