More than 11 years after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished, a new search is underway for its missing debris. The Malaysian government has approved a renewed search, with Ocean Infinity leading the operation.
The company had previously searched for MH370 in 2018 but was unsuccessful. This time, they will use advanced sonar technology and a suite of high-tech tools to scour the southern Indian Ocean, where the plane is believed to have crashed.
Ocean Infinity’s new vessel, Armada 7806, is equipped with autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that can operate independently at depths of up to 6,000 meters. The AUVs will use advanced sonar technology to map the seafloor and detect potential targets.
The search area is roughly the size of metropolitan Sydney and was identified through refined analysis of weather data, satellite information, and debris attributed to MH370 that washed up along African coastlines and Indian Ocean islands.
Ocean Infinity has made significant advancements in its marine robotics and data analytics capabilities since its previous search. The company will deploy multiple AUVs at depths of up to 6,000 meters, significantly increasing the coverage area and allowing for a more efficient survey of the designated search zone.
However, the operation is expected to be challenging due to difficult weather conditions on the surface and complex terrain on the seafloor. Conditions are most favorable between January and April, and the search is expected to take up to 18 months.
If Ocean Infinity succeeds in finding MH370’s wreckage, it will receive US$70 million from the Malaysian government. The company will also use remotely operated vehicles with cameras and manipulator systems to verify the wreck site and conduct any future salvage operations.
Source: https://theconversation.com/the-search-for-missing-plane-mh370-is-back-on-an-underwater-robotics-expert-explains-whats-involved-252732