Ocean Observation by Underwater Glider

Abstract

The concept of underwater gliders for ocean observation was suggested by Dr. Henry Stommel in 1989. and development was started in the world. In the beginning of this paper, the history of the development of underwater gliders and the outline of the vehicles are described. Next, the underwater gliders for virtual mooring which Kyusyu University and Japan Agency for Marine- Earth Science and Technology (hereafter. ”JAMSTEC”) are building are reported.