System and method for power and data transmission in a body of water to unmanned underwater vehicles

A system comprising:

• a depth buoy;
• and
• an umbilical comprising a power transmission line and a data transmission line, the umbilical being mechanically and electrically connectable to a floating surface station configured to generate electric energy, receive data, and transmit data, the umbilical being mechanically and electrically connectable to an underwater station connectable to an unmanned underwater vehicle, the umbilical being mechanically coupleable to the depth buoy such that the umbilical comprises a first umbilical section that extends in a stretched configuration between the underwater station and the depth buoy and a second umbilical section that extends in a loose configuration between the depth buoy and the floating surface station;
• and
• a winch configured to selectively adjust a length of the first umbilical section and a depth of the depth buoy.

A method for power and data transmission in a body of water to an unmanned underwater vehicle, the method comprising:

• generating electric energy in a floating surface station;
• transferring power, via an umbilical, between the floating surface station and an underwater station;
• exchanging data, via the umbilical, between the floating surface station and the underwater station;
• stretching, via a depth buoy, a first section of the umbilical which extends between the underwater station and the depth buoy;
• keeping loose a second section of the umbilical section which extends between the depth buoy and the floating surface station;
• and
• selectively adjusting, via a winch, a length of the first section of the umbilical section and a depth of the depth buoy.