After completing a calibration mission in the Philippines, Ocean Infinity’s Armada 86 05 is preparing for a high-stakes southern Indian Ocean search for MH370, using advanced autonomous technology and probability-based mapping to maximize the chance of discovery while navigating immense logistical and environmental challenges, reigniting hope and anxiety for families and aviation enthusiasts worldwide.

In November 2025, Ocean Infinity’s state-of-the-art offshore support vessel, Armada 86 05, is conducting a focused two-week expedition in the San Bernardino Strait off the coast of the Philippines, initially tasked with locating historical shipwrecks but simultaneously preparing for a renewed search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean.

Positioned strategically in Philippine waters, the vessel has been employing advanced autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), high-resolution sonar, and precision navigation systems to map complex underwater terrains while calibrating its equipment for the far more challenging and expansive waters of the Indian Ocean.

Commanding officer Captain Elena Voronov emphasized the dual purpose of the mission.

“The work in the Philippines allows us to fine-tune our AUVs and sonar systems in real operational conditions.

Every sweep here prepares us for the southern Indian Ocean, where precision and endurance will define our chances of success,” she said.

The vessel is expected to complete its current mission within the next week, after which it will dock for a resupply and crew rotation before departing for one of the most elusive aviation mysteries of the 21st century.

The next leg of Armada 86 05’s mission will retrace the southern Indian Ocean corridor previously explored by its sister ship, Armada 78 06, in March 2025.

During that multi-week survey, Armada 78 06 performed detailed seabed scans using autonomous submersibles and deep-water sonar to detect anomalies consistent with aircraft debris.

The data gathered during that expedition has informed current operational planning, providing Ocean Infinity with refined search zones and highlighting areas where previous attempts may have overlooked potential wreckage due to challenging terrain or strong currents.

Ocean Infinity employs a sophisticated probability-based search methodology, integrating satellite communication pings from MH370, ocean current models, drift simulations, and debris distribution analyses to define high-likelihood target areas.

Dr. Liam Harris, chief geospatial analyst for the company, explained, “Our models combine all available data from previous searches, environmental conditions, and oceanographic simulations.

While we can never guarantee discovery, this probabilistic approach maximizes the likelihood of success.

” However, Harris also acknowledged potential limitations: “Ocean currents and sediment movements in this region are unpredictable.

While our models are robust, we must be prepared for anomalies or miscalculations.”

During the Philippine leg of the expedition, Armada 86 05 has tested various AUV configurations and mapping protocols, ensuring submersibles can maintain accurate navigation, obstacle avoidance, and data collection across variable seafloor conditions.

These trials are crucial for the southern Indian Ocean, where depths exceed 4,000 meters, seabed topography is complex, and search grids can span tens of thousands of square kilometers.

Crew members have noted that each successful calibration in Philippine waters improves operational confidence for the more remote and technically demanding Indian Ocean survey.

The logistical complexity of such a mission cannot be understated.

Armada 86 05 must carefully coordinate resupply points, fuel logistics, crew rotations, and equipment maintenance at remote locations, often hundreds of kilometers from the nearest port.

The vessel’s mission schedule also includes contingencies for weather, sea state, and maintenance delays, ensuring the search can continue uninterrupted once operations move into the southern Indian Ocean.

Public attention remains intense as MH370’s disappearance continues to resonate globally, with families of the passengers, aviation experts, and media outlets closely monitoring each expedition.

Social media and aviation forums have erupted with speculation about potential discovery, often fueled by images and updates from Ocean Infinity’s Philippine operations.

Analysts caution that despite the advanced technology and planning, the scale of the Indian Ocean, coupled with deep-water challenges, means that success is far from guaranteed.

Nevertheless, Ocean Infinity maintains cautious optimism.

Captain Voronov stated, “Every kilometer we scan, every anomaly we identify, brings us closer to answers.

We know the ocean is vast and conditions are harsh, but our technology and planning give us unprecedented capabilities compared to previous searches.

” With the southern Indian Ocean expedition imminent, Armada 86 05 represents the latest attempt to solve one of aviation’s most enduring mysteries, combining meticulous preparation, advanced technology, and the persistence of a team determined to bring closure to families and the global community.

As the vessel completes its Philippine operations and prepares for the high-stakes Indian Ocean sweep, the world watches closely.

Each sonar ping and AUV scan carries the potential to uncover critical evidence, offering hope that the decade-long search for MH370 may finally yield definitive answers.

The mission exemplifies the intersection of human ingenuity, advanced maritime technology, and the relentless pursuit of truth beneath the ocean’s vast and unforgiving depths.