Multiple Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) System

A system for exploration of an underwater region, the system comprising:

• a host platform comprising a host surface vehicle (HSV);
• multiple surface vehicles (SVs);
• and
• multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), wherein
• the host platform and the surface vehicles communicate via a first communications protocol, and wherein
• the surface vehicles and the AUVs communicate via a second is communications protocol, distinct from said first communications protocol, and wherein said host platform communicates with said AUVs via said surface vehicles, and wherein
• said multiple AUVs perform aspects of said underwater exploration simultaneously, and wherein
• at least one AUV performs aspects of said exploration independent of at least one other AUV, and wherein
• the multiple SVs comprise a network of surface vehicles, and wherein said host platform communicates with said AUVs via said network of surface vehicles, and wherein surface vehicles in said network of surface vehicles communicate via a third communication protocol, wherein
• the host platform communicates with a first at least one SV in a network of SVs, and wherein the first at least one SV acts as a relay between (i) the host platform, and (ii) a second at least one SV in the network of surface vehicles, wherein
• at least one mission planning mechanism defines and delineates at least one area to be explored and provides control and command information to at least one AUV of said multiple AUVs for exploration of said at least one area to be explored.