General Dynamics Missions Systems featured the Bluefin Robotics underwater drone this week at the OCEANS 2016 conference.

The Hovering-Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, or H-AUV locates, identifies and maps structural issues on a ship's hull without dry-docking the ship, the company said in a statement.

It operates autonomously and navigates along a hull, bridge or pier.

High-resolution images are streamed, recorded and stored by the H-AUV for shipboard or shore-based operators to observe in real time or to study later once the scan is complete.

It can also conduct undersea observation for port and harbor security, underwater law enforcement investigations, as well as archaeological and academic research.

The system can be unpacked and launched from a boat or pier in less than 30 minutes.

It uses thrusters to hover, rotate in place and translate in any direction, enabling operations in confined areas.