In contrast to conventional towed systems requiring a long umbilical cable for relay of information back to a tow vessel, it stores data internally from various survey sensors prior to downloading upon vehicle recovery.

In addition, for real-time data observation and quality control, it can also transmit survey data back to the mother ship through the water column via an on-board acoustic modem. A similar modem arrangement is used to send operating instructions to the vehicle and to receive critical feedback on system performance.

Echo Ranger is the outcome of a research and development project by Boeing in support of a Long-Term Mine Reconnaissance System (LMRS) for US Navy minehunting operations. Fugro, developed the survey sensor payload, seafloor positioning, and data analysis systems while Oceaneering International was responsible for the launch and recovery as well as shipboard services systems.

Both Fugro and Oceaneering have worldwide operating bases from which the AUV can be supported for future deepsea operations on behalf of potential offshore customers.