Teledyne Webb Research, a business unit of Teledyne Technologies
Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) announced today the historic completion of the
first transatlantic crossing of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV),
a Slocum glider manufactured by the company.
The project was led by Rutgers University professors Drs. Scott Glenn,
Oscar Schofield, and Josh Kohut, and was supported by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The effort began when Dr.
Richard Spinrad of NOAA challenged the Rutgers professors to complete
this journey across the Atlantic with a robotic vehicle and in so doing,
inspire a new generation of students to engage in oceanographic research.
The glider, dubbed Scarlet Knight, was navigated by students from the
Rutgers University Coastal Ocean Observation Lab (RUCOOL) and traveled
more than 4,500 miles during its 7-month voyage. Since being launched
April 27, 2009, Scarlet Knight has collected measurements of ocean water
salinity and temperature, transmitting the data via satellite to the lab
at Rutgers. After 201 days in the water, the Scarlet Knight surfaced on
November 14, 2009, in Spanish waters and was recovered on December 4,
2009, by a combined team from Rutgers, Teledyne Webb Research, and
Puertos del Estado. The glider will be brought onto shore in Baiona,
Spain, famous for being the landing site of Christopher Columbus’ ship,
the Pinta, in March 1493. A ceremony commemorating the transfer of the
glider to the United States by officials from the Spanish government
will be held in Baiona on December 9, 2009. Teledyne Webb Research will
donate a replica of the Scarlet Knight to the city of Baiona for
inclusion in its new maritime museum.
The initial concept of the underwater glider was conceived by Douglas C.
Webb, the founder of Teledyne Webb Research. It was later popularized in
a 1989 article in Oceanography entitled "The Slocum Mission”
written by the late Dr. Henry Stommel, a renowned oceanographer and Mr.
Webb’s neighbor and good friend. "The historical success of this event
may one day be measured in the tremendous educational and international
outreach that this collaborative effort has spawned. By involving and
entraining others in the exciting process of daring and discovery, we
hope to share awareness about our environment and inspire a next
generation of thinkers and explorers. We feel that this success is a
significant step towards deploying fleets of capable, sensor-laden
gliders for multi-year transoceanic operation and ultimately changing
our fundamental understanding of world ocean dynamics,” stated Clayton
Jones, Teledyne Webb Research’s Senior Director of Glider Development.
For more information about the mission of the Scarlet Knight go to http://rucool.marine.rutgers.edu/atlantic/
About Teledyne Webb Research
Teledyne Webb Research designs and manufactures scientific instruments
for oceanographic research and monitoring. Teledyne Webb Research is a
member of the Teledyne Marine Group of companies, which also includes
Teledyne Benthos, Inc., Teledyne Cormon Ltd., Teledyne D.G. O’Brien,
Inc., Teledyne Geophysical Instruments, Teledyne Impulse, Teledyne ODI,
Inc., Teledyne Odom Hydrographic, Inc., Teledyne RD Instruments, Inc.,
and Teledyne TSS Ltd. More information about Teledyne Webb Research can
be found at www.webbresearch.com.
About Teledyne Technologies
Teledyne Technologies is a leading provider of sophisticated electronic
subsystems, instrumentation and communication products, engineered
systems, aerospace engines, and energy and power generation systems.
Teledyne Technologies’ operations are primarily located in the United
States, the United Kingdom, and Mexico. For more information, visit
Teledyne Technologies’ website at www.teledyne.com.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6115790&lang=en