During the period of 12th Five-Year Plan, HEU will take charge of the Key Special Project ---“The Research on Key Technology of the Whole-Sea-Depth Unmanned Submersible AUV”, which is of the National Key Research and Development Plan---“Key Technologies and Equipment in the Deep Sea”. The first set of AUV integrated verification system is to be applied in exploration of the world's deepest oceanic depths in Mariana Trench. On November 23^rd, 2017, the project launching meeting was held in this university, the project will be fully launched.

Aiming at the request for scientific investigation of deep sea in China, especially the need for abyss sea scientific research, the project “Research on Key Technology of the Whole-Sea-Depth Unmanned Submersible AUV” is to break through some key technologies, such as the hazard perception and independent decision-making of the depth-limited AUV, application of highly deep-submerged pressurized shell, long-distance two-way high-speed underwater acoustic communication, single beacon hydro-acoustic positioning, multiple-level-redundancy-safety self-rescue and intelligent safe operation. The project will develop the integrated verification system for all sea depth AUV and the trials in Mariana Trench is planned be completed at a depth of 11,000 meters in 2020. At present, in regard to all-sea-depth, there is no precedent for the detection and operation of AUV in the world. The completion of this research will provide the important technical supports to China's 11,000-meter deep-sea exploration, science exploration and scientific expeditions covering the whole range of depth of seas.