Ocean Physics Dept.         Jason Gobat         Oceanographer IV         Craig Lee         Principal Investigator         Geoff Shilling         Engineer IV      Electronic Systems Dept.         Neil Bogue         Senior Engineer      Environmental & Information Systems Dept.         Robert Carr         Software Engineer         David Jones         Department Head, Senior Oceanographer         Beth Kirby         Engineer IV         Stuart Maclean         Engineer IV         Janet Olsonbaker         Engineer IV         Troy Tanner         Sofware Engineer      Office of Naval Research         Theresa Paluszkiewicz, Program Manager         Webb Research Corporation         Scripps Institution of Oceanography         Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution	GLider Monitoring, Piloting, and Communications system Glider Design and Development Autonomous underwater gliders use changes in volume and buoyancy to allow them to move higher and lower through the water column. Their wings produce the lift needed for forward thrust. For many years the Office of Naval Research has sponsored a robust research and development program for the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) to use these gliders for naval operations. Several organizations have developed gliders independently, each having a primary use that distinguishes its design. Webb Research Corporation's Slocum Electric Glider was developed especially for shallow water dives, while APL-UW's Seaglider is particularly well suited to deep water. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution developed the SPRAY glider for long endurance missions, up to six months. Each glider type's software was also developed independently. Software controls missions and communications, and is also used to visualize the data collected. The Navy now needs a common system for glider pilots to fly the gliders independent of each glider's manufacturer. The SPRAY glider, SIO and WHOI. Webb Research Co.'s Slocum and APL-UW's Seaglider autonomous undersea vehicles. Current Mission APL-UW is leading a consortium of glider developers in advanced research and development to improve underwater glider systems for environmental characterizations during naval operation. Improvements include a common command control and display/transfer interface for use across all existing glider designs—the GLMPC system. GLMPC is the control interface between users and the autonomous underwater gliders. GLMPC allows users to view a geographic area, overlay geographical information, and interact with the map. The system can take commands from the user, convert them according to the requirements of each specific glider, and transmit them to the appropriate glider. The glider also transmits data to the system that is then stored and visualized into views that the various users can select to meet their needs. In an advanced user mode, the system allows for direct command to the glider or an upload of changes to the glider's operating controls.