Expanding the capabilities of the NIUST AUVs

The seafloor mapping AUVs Eagle Ray and Mola Mola have vastly different capabilities and operational requirements, yet they perform complementary tasks. These AUVs are operated by the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology (NIUST), which is a NOAA sponsored partnership between the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi. Eagle Ray collects Multibeam sonar bathymetry and CTD data, as well as data from guest payloads. Mola Mola collects color images of the seafloor along with multibeam bathymetry. In back-to-back dives, Mola Mola can conduct focused studies over targets determined from broad surveys carried out by Eagle Ray, but the two vehicles have also had successful cruises independently.