Robot sub completes first-ever transatlantic crossing by unmanned vehicle

Thousand Oaks, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE, Dec. 8) Teledyne Webb Research, a business unit of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) announced today the historic completion of the first transatlantic crossing of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), a Slocum glider manufactured by the company.

The project was led by Rutgers University professors Drs. Scott Glenn, Oscar Schofield, and Josh Kohut, and was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The effort began when Dr. Richard Spinrad of NOAA challenged the Rutgers professors to complete this journey across the Atlantic with a robotic vehicle and in so doing, inspire a new generation of students to engage in oceanographic research.

The glider, dubbed Scarlet Knight, was navigated by students from the Rutgers University Coastal Ocean Observation Lab (RUCOOL) and traveled more than 4,500 miles during its 7-month voyage. Since being launched April 27, 2009, Scarlet Knight has collected measurements of ocean water salinity and temperature, transmitting the data via satellite to the lab at Rutgers. After 201 days in the water, the Scarlet Knight surfaced on November 14, 2009, in Spanish waters and was recovered on December 4, 2009, by a combined team from Rutgers, Teledyne Webb Research, and Puertos del Estado. The glider will be brought onto shore in Baiona, Spain, famous for being the landing site of Christopher Columbus’ ship, the Pinta, in March 1493. A ceremony commemorating the transfer of the glider to the United States by officials from the Spanish government will be held in Baiona on December 9, 2009. Teledyne Webb Research will donate a replica of the Scarlet Knight to the city of Baiona for inclusion in its new maritime museum.

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