An underwater drone is to be deployed into the Indian Ocean as the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 continues.
The Bluefin-21 drone will scour the ocean floor in an attempt to located wreckage of the aircraft, which disappeared on 8 March.
In comments reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, former Australian Defence chief Angus Houston said: “The deployment of the autonomous underwater vehicle has the potential to take us a further step towards visual identification, since it offers a possible opportunity to detect debris from the aircraft on the ocean floor.”
The Bluefin-21 underwater drone (pictured here after successful buoyancy testing on 1 April can travel to a depth of 4,500m
The drone uses a side-scan sonar and its first 24-hour mission will commence on Monday evening.
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It will cover an area of 40 square kilometres at a depth of 4,500 metres, though Houston cautioned: “It may be very difficult to find something.”
The robotic submarine's first mission will commence on Monday evening
He also revealed an oil slick had been detected in the search area and that a sample has been collected for analysis.
The flight, bound for Beijing from Kuala Lumpur, had 239 people on board.
Electronic signals consistent with transmissions from a black box were recorded in the area last week but none have been heard since, leading to speculation the battery has expired.
Search For MH370
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A Chinese relative of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 holds a candle as she takes part in a prayer service at the Metro Park Hotel in Beijing on April 8, 2014. (WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A woman lights a candle as Chinese relatives of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 take part in a prayer service at the Metro Park Hotel in Beijing on April 8, 2014. (WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Chinese relative of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 holds a candle as he takes part in a prayer service at the Metro Park Hotel in Beijing on April 8, 2014. (WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Tactical Coordinator Brent Collier (C) briefs the crew aboard a P3 Orion maritime search aircraft before take-off towards the southern Indian Ocean looking for debris from missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 at RAAF Base Pearce on April 11, 2014 in Perth, Australia. (Richard Polden - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Co Pilot squadron Leader Brett McKenzie (L) and Flight Engineer Trent Wyatt sit in the cockpit aboard a P3 Orion maritime search aircraft as it flies over the southern Indian Ocean looking for debris from missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on April 11, 2014. (Richard Polden - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A graphic of the area being searched for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, is displayed during a media conference involving Angus Houston, head of the Joint Agency Coordination Centre in Perth on April 9, 2014. (GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Crew members look out the cockpit windows of a RNZAF P3 Orion during search operations for wreckage and debris of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean, near the coast of Western Australia on April 4, 2014. (Nick Perry/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An unidentified object is photographed from a monitor onboard a RNZAF P3 Orion during search operations for wreckage and debris of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean on April 4, 2014, near Australia. (Nick Perry - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An observer watches as a smoke flare is deployed to mark an unidentified object spotted from a RNZAF P3 Orion during search operations for wreckage and debris of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean on April 4, 2014, near Australia. (Nick Perry - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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SGT Sean Donaldson prepares to deploy a smoke marker onboard a RNZAF P3 Orion during search operations for wreckage and debris of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean on April 4, 2014, near Australia. (Nick Perry - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An observer looks out a window onboard a RNZAF P3 Orion during search operations for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean on April 4, 2014, near Australia. (Nick Perry - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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SGT Adam Coats gets some rest onboard a RNZAF P3 Orion after they completed almost four hours of search operations for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean on April 4, 2014, near Australia. (Nick Perry - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wing commander Rob Shearer, captain of the RNZAF P3 Orion (L), and SGT Sean Donaldson look out the cockpit windows during search operations for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean on April 4, 2014, near Australia. (Nick Perry - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Operators monitor TAC stations onboard a RNZAF P3 Orion during search operations for wreckage and debris of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean on April 4, 2014, near Australia. (Nick Perry - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Flight LT Stephen Graham monitors a TAC station onboard a RNZAF P3 Orion during search operations for wreckage and debris of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean on April 4, 2014, near Australia. (Nick Perry - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chinese relatives of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 rest before a meeting at a hotel in Beijing on April 3, 2014. (WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chinese relatives of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 pray after a meeting in a prayer room at the Metro Park Hotel in Beijing on April 4, 2014. (WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wing commander Rob Shearer, captain of the RNZAF P3 Orion, reads through his notes before reaching the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean on April 4, 2014, near Australia. (Nick Perry - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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SGT Sean Donaldson prepares to deploy a smoke marker onboard a RNZAF P3 Orion during search operations for wreckage and debris of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean on April 4, 2014, near Australia. (Nick Perry - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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This picture taken on March 24, 2014 shows crew members on board an RAAF AP-3C Orion crossing the coast of Perth, having just completed an 11 hour search mission for missing Malaysia Airways flight MH370 before landing at the RAAF Pearce airbase in Perth.(RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force AP-3C Orions sit on the tarmac after arriving back at RAAF Base Peace after continuing the search for debris or wreckage of the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, at Bullsbrok on March 26, 2014. (ROB GRIFFITH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Flying Officer Stuart Doubleday (L) and Warrant Officer Michael Makin sit in the cockpit of a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion aircraft searching for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean on March 27, 2014 off the coast of Perth, Australia. (Michael Martina - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Excess fuel is dumped from a nozzle protruding from the left wing of a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion aircraft before landing, after their mission searching for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean was aborted, on March 27, 2014 off the coast of Perth, Australia. (Michael Martina - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Flight Lieutenant Jayson Nichols looks at a map as he flies aboard a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion aircraft searching for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean on March 27, 2014 off the coast of Perth, Australia. (Michael Martina - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Crew members aboard a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion aircraft observe navigation maps as they search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean on March 27, 2014 off the coast of Perth, Australia. (Michael Martina - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion returns to RAAF Base Pearce after continuing the search for debris or wreckage of the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 on March 26, 2014 in Perth, Australia. (Rob Griffith - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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RAAF Flight Engineer Ron Day keeps watch for debris from a AP-3C Orion during a search mission for missing Malaysia Airline flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean on March 26, 2014. (Paul Kane/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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This picture taken on March 24, 2014 shows a crew member of an RAAF AP-3C Orion aircraft loading a sono buoy that will mark the location of any wreckage found whilst searching for missing Malaysia Airways flight MH370 over the Indian Ocean. (RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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This picture taken on March 24, 2014 shows crew members on board an RAAF AP-3C Orion crossing the coast of Perth, having just completed an 11 hour search mission for missing Malaysia Airways flight MH370 before landing at the RAAF Pearce airbase in Perth. (RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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This picture taken on March 24, 2014 shows a view of the bad weather and visibility from a low flying RAAF AP-3C Orion aircraft whilst searching for missing Malaysia Airways flight MH370 over the Indian Ocean. (RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Aircrew look out of a window of a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion from RAAF base Pearce on assignment to Southern Indian Ocean to commence a search for possible debris from the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 24, 2014 in Perth, Australia. (Bohdan Warchomij - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Members of Japan's disaster relief team wave off a Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Lockheed P-3C Orion aircraft as it takes off from RAAF base Pearce in Bullsbrook, 35 kms north of Perth, on March 24, 2014 to search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. (JASON REED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force personnel walk from the tarmac as a P-3C Orion prepares to depart from the RAAF base Pearce in Bullsbrook, 35 kms north of Perth on March 24, 2014 to depart to search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean. (Paul Kane/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Aircrew walk on the wing of a Japanese Air Force AP-3C Orion after it landed at RAAF Pearce Base to join the search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 23, 2014 in Perth, Australia. (Rob Griffith-Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Japanese Air Force AP-3C Orion, helping with the search of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, arrives at RAAF base Pearce in Bullsbrook, 35 kms north of Perth on March 23, 2014. (ROB GRIFFITH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force Personnel wave to their colleagues on a P3C aircraft before taking off for Australia to join the search operation for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Subang, outside Kuala Lumpur on March 23, 2014. (MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force Personnel pose for pictures near a PC3 aircraft before taking off for Australia to join the search operation for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Subang, outside Kuala Lumpur on March 23, 2014. (MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A member of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force writes down coordinates before taking off on a PC3 aircraft for Australia to join the search operation for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Subang, outside Kuala Lumpur on March 23, 2014. (MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Flight Lieutenant Jason Nichols on board a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion, takes notes as they search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 debris or wreckage on March 22, 2014 in Southern Indian Ocean, off the west coast of Australia. (Rob Griffith-Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion flies past the HMAS Success as they search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 debris or wreckage in the southern Indian Ocean on March 22, 2014. (ROB GRIFFITH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott bids farewell to the Malaysian Prime Minister's wife, Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor, after her visit to Perth during the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, at Perth International airport, April 3, 2014. (Paul Kane - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Chinese relative (R) of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 waits for the new information before a meeting at a hotel in Beijing on April 3, 2014. (WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak waves farewell prior to boarding his aircraft at Perth International airport after visiting Australia during the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 on April 3, 2014. (Paul Kane - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (L) and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott hold a bilateral meeting on the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at the Commonwealth Parliament Offices at Exchange Plaza in Perth on April 3, 2014. (RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Chinese relative of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 watches television as he waits for new information at a hotel in Beijing on April 3, 2014. (WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Japan Orion aircraft prepares to leave Pearce Airbase at Bullsbrook, 35 km north of Perth, on April 3, 2014, to continue the search for missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370. (GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)