Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) Professor Qingsong LIU (Ocean Science and Engineering) has led his Ocean UAV Magnetic Measurement Platform R&D Team to be selected as one of a top ten advancements in marine science and technology in China in 2019., which is voted by the top oceanographic institutions across China.

The team had conducted successful aerial sea tests of their ocean unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) magnetic measurement system. The breakthroughs and technological innovations provided a new platform for future marine magnetic measurements. This measurement system is efficient in that it could improve these measurements by an order of magnitude, and its further technological innovations will bring scientific breakthroughs.

The successful development of this system has comprehensively enhanced the measurement of the distribution of anomalies in the magnetic field on the ocean floor. It will simultaneously improve scientific research in the field while being suitable for large-scale exploration of submarine mineral resources. The development provides further technical support for China as a leader in international marine resources and the development of China’s maritime industry.

OSE and the Shenzhen Peacock Team founded this project. Professor Qingsong LIU made up his team with highly-talented researchers from SUSTech, the Guangzhou office of the China Geological Survey, Gatec (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd., and Zongheng (Shenzhen) UAV Technology Co., Ltd.

Between November 1 and 4, Professor Qingsong LIU and his team conducted several sea trials over the Pearl River Estuary. These trials included fixed take-off and landing on a marine survey ship platform, aeromagnetic compensation tests, aero-magnetic detection, and system-linked “sea-air” magnetic measurement tests. It is the first time such experiments have ever been conducted.