Five centuries after Magellan’s historic expedition, maritime exploration enters a new era with Redwing, an autonomous underwater vehicle preparing to achieve what no drone has accomplished before. This compact ocean glider will attempt humanity’s first unmanned circumnavigation beneath the waves, marking a revolutionary milestone in oceanic research and robotic endurance.
The Teledyne Marine creation, developed alongside Rutgers University researchers, measures just 2.57 meters long and weighs 171 kilograms. Despite its modest dimensions, this technological marvel carries the ambition to traverse 73,000 kilometers over five years, collecting unprecedented oceanographic data from depths reaching 1,000 meters.
Revolutionary propulsion system redefines underwater navigation
Unlike conventional submarines, Redwing operates without traditional propellers or engines. Its buoyancy-driven locomotion represents a paradigm shift in autonomous underwater navigation. An internal piston system alternately compresses and expands gas chambers, making the vehicle heavier or lighter than surrounding seawater.
This ingenious mechanism creates a sawtooth diving pattern – descending gracefully to maximum depth before ascending slowly to surface waters. The continuous vertical oscillations generate forward momentum at 0.75 knots, approximately 1.3 kilometers per hour. Small auxiliary propellers remain available for course corrections, though their usage will be minimal throughout the expedition.
The silent, fuel-free operation eliminates mechanical noise that might disturb marine ecosystems. By harnessing ocean currents like an underwater sailboat, Redwing demonstrates how modern robotics can work harmoniously with natural forces rather than against them.
Marathon endurance through advanced energy management
Ocean gliders have existed since the 1990s, but none attempted such an ambitious multi-year journey. Redwing’s oversized battery systems packed within its streamlined hull provide extraordinary operational longevity. Engineers estimate nearly two years of continuous operation before requiring a scheduled mid-journey energy module replacement.
Daily communication protocols ensure mission continuity through satellite links. The vehicle surfaces twice daily, transmitting collected data while receiving updated navigation instructions from the Teledyne Webb Research team and Rutgers University students. This methodical approach transforms what could be a reckless adventure into precise scientific methodology.
Previous autonomous underwater achievements have progressively extended operational limits :
- Scarlet Knight RU27 (2009) : First Atlantic crossing in 221 days
- Silbo glider (2011) : 6,000-kilometer transatlantic journey
- PacX Wave Glider (2012) : 16,000-kilometer solar-powered Pacific traverse
- Deepglider missions (2018) : Deep-ocean exploration beyond 6,000 meters
| Vehicle Name | Year | Distance (km) | Duration | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scarlet Knight RU27 | 2009 | 5,800 | 221 days | First autonomous Atlantic crossing |
| Silbo | 2011 | 6,000 | 7 months | Azores to Caribbean traverse |
| PacX Wave Glider | 2012 | 16,000 | 15 months | Longest wave-powered journey |
| Redwing | 2025 | 73,000 | 5 years | First underwater world circumnavigation |
Strategic route following Magellan’s oceanic pathway
Launching from Martha’s Vineyard on October 11, 2025, Redwing’s carefully planned trajectory mirrors Ferdinand Magellan’s historic route. The circumnavigation path will traverse the Canary Islands, Cape of Good Hope, western Australia, New Zealand, Falkland Islands, potentially Brazilian waters, before returning to Cape Cod.
This route holds profound scientific value beyond symbolic significance. These oceanic regions remain poorly understood regarding temperature variations, salinity levels, and current patterns. Continuous data collection will provide climatologists and oceanographers with invaluable insights into global ocean circulation systems. The mission represents the most extensive oceanic sampling expedition ever attempted by autonomous systems.
Modern underwater exploration faces unique challenges that surface vessels rarely encounter. While China shakes the world with underwater drones capable of disrupting global communications, Redwing focuses on peaceful scientific discovery. NASA scientists mapping ocean floors have identified nearly 100,000 underwater mountains, highlighting how much remains unknown about our planet’s underwater landscape.
Scientific impact transcends technological achievement
Redwing’s mission extends far beyond demonstrating robotic capabilities. The vehicle will collect millions of data points on water temperature, density, and current velocity across previously unexplored maritime regions. This information, shared in real-time with educational institutions worldwide, will enhance understanding of ocean-climate interactions crucial for addressing global warming.
The project embodies sustainable science principles – patient, economical, and environmentally conscious. Unlike fuel-consuming research vessels requiring large crews, this glider operates independently, powered by physics and precision instrumentation. Such autonomous oceanographic platforms represent the future of marine research, minimizing human environmental impact while maximizing scientific return.
Natural hazards pose significant risks to the mission’s success. Fishing nets, commercial shipping traffic, curious sharks, and biofouling organisms threaten operational integrity. Marine biologists particularly worry about algae, barnacles, and microorganisms adhering to the hull, potentially weighing down the glider beyond operational limits. Underwater volcanic activity adds another layer of complexity to deep-ocean navigation.
Each day of successful operation will validate autonomous underwater technology’s potential for extended scientific missions. This patient, methodical approach to exploration embodies humanity’s persistent drive to push technological boundaries while deepening our understanding of Earth’s most mysterious frontier.
