There is a potential large niche for low-visibility, low-surface-expression platforms that could recharge unmanned aerial vehicles at sea. The project goal is to develop a prototype low-flow marine current turbine to provide partial power to recharge battery banks onboard an unmanned mobile floating recharge station for small aerial drones. A small catamaran unmanned surface vehicle, with two electric outboard engines and with capabilities for autonomous navigation, available at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), would serve as the floating support platform. The navigation system would incorporate maps and tide tables in support of locating ideal current resources in an area to which it can autonomously navigate, anchor, and harvest the current resource.
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