Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)

An untethered, self-propelled submersible that runs a preprogrammed or adaptive mission underwater without a physical link to a surface vessel, distinguishing it from a tethered ROV. AUVs carry inertial navigation aided by Doppler velocity logs and acoustic positioning (USBL/LBL), since GNSS does not penetrate seawater. They survey the seabed for hydrography, pipeline and cable inspection, and search; the Kongsberg HUGIN is a documented example. Subsurface operation separates the AUV from surface ASV/USV craft and aerial UAS.