Teledyne Marine and Rutgers University-New Brunswick are about to redefine what’s possible in ocean exploration. Their globe-circling mission with the autonomous underwater glider ‘Redwing’ isn’t just a tech demo—it’s a data goldmine that could reshape how we understand and predict our planet’s climate systems.
Redwing’s journey, set to kick off from Martha’s Vineyard in October 2025, is more than a marathon—it’s a strategic data-gathering operation. The glider will ride ocean currents like a silent sentinel, surfacing every 8-12 hours to beam back critical intel on temperature, salinity, and currents. This isn’t just academic curiosity; it’s the kind of real-time data that could sharpen hurricane forecasting and refine climate models. For meteorologists and oceanographers, this is like getting a front-row seat to Earth’s circulatory system.
What makes Redwing special? It’s built for endurance. Unlike typical gliders, this one’s engineered to cross some of the planet’s most punishing seas—from the Gulf Stream to the Antarctic Circumpolar Current—on a single charge. Its carbon-fiber hull flexes under pressure, and its buoyancy system lets it glide effortlessly, conserving energy for years-long deployments. At just 2.57 meters long, it’s packing a payload of sensors, including a CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth/density) and even a fish monitor to track marine life.
The collaboration between Teledyne Marine and Rutgers University’s Center for Ocean Observing Leadership (COOL) is where the magic happens. Over 50 students have helped program Redwing’s navigation software, and they’ll be part of the mission control team, guiding the glider through its 73,000-kilometer journey. This isn’t just about collecting data—it’s about training the next generation of ocean scientists and engineers.
Redwing’s data will feed into NOAA’s global monitoring system, making it accessible to researchers, universities, and even schools worldwide. That’s a game-changer for ocean policy and conservation efforts. Imagine policymakers having real-time insights into under-sampled ocean regions, or scientists tracking marine life migrations with unprecedented precision.
This mission could set a new standard for autonomous ocean exploration. If Redwing succeeds, we might see more long-range, data-driven missions—ones that don’t just study the ocean but help us predict and mitigate climate impacts. It’s a bold step, but one that could redefine how we interact with our planet’s last great frontier.