Russia has developed a prototype for an unmanned underwater drone for use in Arctic operations. Potential uses include searches for sunken vessels and objects, natural resource exploration, and more. While the drone is fairly simple in design, underwater drones continue to lag behind their land and air-based counterparts in both research and operational integration. Its $2,000 price tag underscores the comparatively cheap production costs of such machines compared to manned counterparts. Once this particular drone loses its tether, increases its diving depth, range, and adds autonomous navigation, however, complexity and price increases. Russia, China, and, albeit more slowly, the USA have boosted research and development in Arctic explorations as receding ice opens up new navigational channels and natural resources.
Source: Russia tests ‘underwater quadcopter’ for cold water exploration
