France tests abyssal ocean drones to expand global sea monitoring by 2028

The short version

• French ocean agency Ifremer completed five test dives down to 6,000 meters with its new Deep-6000 drone prototypes.[Engadget]
• The successful tests make France the third country after China and the U.S. to build Argo floats reaching such depths.[Engadget]
• Ifremer plans to add 30 deep-sea floats to the international fleet of 4,000 devices by 2028.[Engadget]

Key facts

• Ifremer reported that its two Deep-6000 prototypes completed five dives of 6,000 meters early this year.[Engadget]
• France joined China and the United States as the third nation capable of developing Argo floats that reach 6,000 meters deep.[Engadget]
• Ifremer plans to join 30 additional deep-sea floats into the global 4,000-device Argo fleet by 2028.[Engadget]
• The United States operates over 100 deep-sea floats, while China maintains more than 30.[Engadget]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• These drones could cover up to 98 percent of the world's oceans by 2028Engadget