Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are
self-propelled robotic platforms that can perform a
predetermined mission completely unmanned. A series of
manoeuvring experiments were performed using the MUN
Explorer AUV during the summer of 2006 and a selection of
these experimental results are presented in this paper. The
purpose of these experiments was to collect a set of useful
data for validating a hydrodynamic model of the dynamic
performance of the vehicle. This paper aims at explaining the
methods and measures adopted in accomplishing this task.
Apart from providing a data set for validation of the
hydrodynamic model, the data record also shows the ability
of the AUV to perform extreme manoeuvres and the accuracy
with which it can follow a pre-planned mission