Meet the Oceanscout.

The ocean glider, reimagined.

Hefring Engineering has developed an exceptionally powerful tool for ocean observation and research, setting new standards in the field.

The New Standard

Ocean Gliders

A platform for optimal observation of subsea environments.

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Improving Storm Forecasts

Operational use of gliders to measure ocean temperature and salinity for input into forecast models improves prediction of storm intensity and track. Gliders deployed during storms collect this information and send it back in real time.

Marine Mammal Observations

Gliders are an excellent platform for passive acoustic sensors that listen for marine mammals and record the ocean soundscape. The platform is quiet and supports high endurance missions covering large domains.

Battlespace Awareness

Gliders can be rapidly deployed in a region of interest to collect subsurface information, such as sound speed profiles and acoustic signatures, critical to naval operations. This information is then sent in real time by satellite or other means providing immediate maritime domain awareness to decision makers.

One-person Portable

Discover the possibilities of Oceanscout’s manageable size. Adaptable for single user deployment, Oceanscout is also small enough to load multiple gliders on small craft or autonomous deployment and recovery vehicles.

Hover Mode

Users can set a hover depth for quiet listening beneath the surface. On its way to the next waypoint, Oceanscout can hover in place with motors turned off, minimizing vehicle self-noise, and gather sensor data such as passive acoustic recordings.

Salt to fresh water and back

Oceanscout’s VBE has an exceptionally large displacement relative to glider size and can adjust for about 4% change in density automatically. This allows it to punch through density gradients and provide ultimate flexibility in deployments without ballasting for local conditions.

Uniquely Oceanscout.

One-person Portable

Discover the possibilities of Oceanscout’s manageable size. Adaptable for single user deployment, Oceanscout is also small enough to load multiple gliders on small craft or autonomous deployment and recovery vehicles.

Hover Mode

Users can set a hover depth for quiet listening beneath the surface. On its way to the next waypoint, Oceanscout can hover in place with motors turned off, minimizing vehicle self-noise, and gather sensor data such as passive acoustic recordings.

Salt to fresh water and back

Oceanscout’s VBE has an exceptionally large displacement relative to glider size and can adjust for about 4% change in density automatically. This allows it to punch through density gradients and provide ultimate flexibility in deployments without ballasting for local conditions.

How it Works

Meticulously designed for the mission

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CT Sensor

A CT sensor is standard on all Oceanscout models. It is used to collect sound speed profiles, assimilation data for storm models, and CTD transects. This presents a sustainable paradigm shift in how operational CTD transects are collected around the world.

Altimeter

Oceanscout has a forward altimeter to gauge distance to the bottom to safely maximize profiling range in unknown bathymetries. This is one reason Oceanscout is uniquely able to operate in ultra-shallow conditions (< 6m), an often difficult but critical area to collect information.

Tail

Oceanscout’s tail contains its communications modules, extending its Iridium antenna above the surface and allowing for other communication options, such as radio, if required. Integrated GPS and beacon allow easy location of the glider for retrieval.

Batteries / Pitch and roll assembly

The battery assembly moves fore and aft to pitch the glider and rotates to roll the glider. These steering mechanisms along with advanced algorithms provide Oceanscout with an exceptional ability to stay on course in the presence of currents.

Variable Buoyancy Engine

The variable buoyancy engine acts to rapidly change glider density to propel the glider up and down through the water column. Oceanscout’s VBE has an exceptionally large displacement relative to glider size and can adjust for about 4% change in density automatically. This allows it to punch through density gradients and provide ultimate flexibility in deployments without ballasting for local conditions.

LED status indicator

This is a user-controlled color-coded external verification of glider operating status. Deploy Oceanscout with confidence, knowing that it is properly on its way to the intended mission.

Power to get you all the data you need.

With the economical, standard 1.8 KWh Lithium Battery Pack, Oceanscout has changed the total cost of ownership/operations cost for glider users. More missions are possible. The standard battery pack will power Oceanscout for 1 month depending on configuration. Battery packs can be quickly and easily replaced by the user.

Batteries

Mission planning and control at your fingertips

Set your waypoints and go!

Oceanscout’s cloud-based software is incredibly intuitive. Set up your mission by drawing the waypoints to which you’d like to travel or fence in an area you plan to patrol. Choose what data to record along the way.

Know the area

Several base map and overlay options allow you to view important information such as depth contours, environmental data, and AIS data in the area you are operating. Not sure what type of vessel Oceanscout is picking up in its soundscape? Check the AIS information to see what is nearby.

Depth tolerance

In an area with unknown bathymetry, Oceanscout maximizes data collection by allowing the user to set a range from the bottom and the surface between which to dive rather than rely on set dive depths. Capture as much data as possible in unexplored territories!

Mission underway

Sensor data may be viewed in the software as soon as a waypoint is executed. View vehicle engineering data, CTD data, PAM power spectrum, and vehicle speed from each dive.

Finishing a route

When the glider completes its route, you have several options. You can choose to have it repeat the loop, run it in reverse, drift while waiting for further commands, or enter recovery mode for retrieval.

Set your waypoints and go!

Oceanscout’s cloud-based software is incredibly intuitive. Set up your mission by drawing the waypoints to which you’d like to travel or fence in an area you plan to patrol. Choose what data to record along the way.

Know the area

Several base map and overlay options allow you to view important information such as depth contours, environmental data, and AIS data in the area you are operating. Not sure what type of vessel Oceanscout is picking up in its soundscape? Check the AIS information to see what is nearby.

Depth tolerance

In an area with unknown bathymetry, Oceanscout maximizes data collection by allowing the user to set a range from the bottom and the surface between which to dive rather than rely on set dive depths. Capture as much data as possible in unexplored territories!

Mission underway

Sensor data may be viewed in the software as soon as a waypoint is executed. View vehicle engineering data, CTD data, PAM power spectrum, and vehicle speed from each dive.

Finishing a route

When the glider completes its route, you have several options. You can choose to have it repeat the loop, run it in reverse, drift while waiting for further commands, or enter recovery mode for retrieval.

Information to shore

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Real Time Information

Our software is designed to provide you with real-time information about your location, route, battery status, and remaining disk space for data collection. Oceanscout offers live dive summaries, CTD data, and PAM data.

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All the Data

Upon retrieval, full data sets can be downloaded. PAM data can be retrieved by removing the two 1TB SD cards from the glider. CTD and navigation data can be viewed and analyzed.

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Welcome to Oceanscout.

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Mission Report

Gulf of Mexico Demonstration

An experienced glider user and prospective Oceanscout customer asked the team to demonstrate the system’s capabilities in their waters to assess if it could expand their measurement capabilities.

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Spec Sheet

Reinventing The Ocean Glider

Hefring Engineering is re-imagining one of the most versatile tools in ocean observation and research.

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Event

See Oceanscout at COVE Demo Day 2023!

We will be at COVE Demo Day with Oceanscout on display. Since COVE’s demonstration areas were too shallow or not visible enough for a glider...

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Resource

Oceanscout featured in Unmanned Systems Technology magazine

Peter Donaldson finds out how this buoyancy-driven UUV removes the key barriers to widespread scientific research in our oceans.

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