Defence technology firm SEA is providing acoustic sensing equipment for a project exploring the deployment of an autonomous underwater monitoring network, the UK Defence Journal understands.
The project, led by uncrewed surface vessel specialist ZeroUSV with partners Oshen, MarineAI, and MSubs, is supported by UK Defence Innovation and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. It will see Oshen deploy its sail-powered C-STARS micro-drones from ZeroUSV’s Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vessel to act as a distributed acoustic network, monitoring for communication signals from underwater assets.
SEA will provide hydrophones for use on the C-STARS platforms to deliver a low-power acoustic listening capability. The company said its hydrophone technology is already deployed in various applications including maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare operations.
Guy Hope, Business Development Executive at SEA, was quoted as saying: “Autonomous systems are reshaping how navies think about surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and communications. By integrating SEA hydrophones into Oshen’s C-STARS platforms, this exciting project aims to demonstrate a novel approach to the deployment of scalable, affordable, low-signature sensor and communication networks.”
Anahita Laverack, CEO of Oshen, said: “To deliver wide-area monitoring, robust and reliable performance is key. C-STARS was designed for long-endurance missions in extreme operating environments. By integrating SEA’s proven acoustic sensors on to the platform, we can enhance underwater situational awareness in a scalable and cost-effective way.”
Operations for the project are centred at Turnchapel Wharf in Plymouth, where both Oshen and ZeroUSV are based. Plymouth has been designated as the National Centre for Marine Autonomy and has become a growing hub for maritime autonomous technology in the South West. SEA will support the programme from its recently upgraded manufacturing facility in Barnstaple, North Devon.
The collaboration also builds on SEA’s wider work in UK and international anti-submarine warfare and ISR programmes, where its sensing and processing technologies, including the KraitSense system, are used to deliver underwater surveillance capabilities.
Atlantic bastion taking form. Suddenly having billion pound frigates towing sonars may not be the best or only solution for tracking submarines. One thing is clear our one web satellite constellation is going to become very important to stitch this all together.