National Security – Port Surveillance

Securing open borders at the waterline

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are a cost-effective platform to scan the bottom of arriving ships at the entrance of ports.

AUV port security 2

 High-resolution sonar can detect unknown objects like bombs or smuggling containers attached to the vessel bottom.

Solution Requirement Urgency:

  • Increasing terror activity by groups like ISIS and potential threats to US ports
  • Current lack of subsea surveillance and detection permanently stationed in ports
  • Need to secure our open boarders from terror threats at the waterline
  • Geolocation and proximity to targets on the US East coast
  • Multiple vulnerable targets in a vital port like Baltimore
  • Recent channel depth increase to 50 feet to allow for larger “New Panamax” and “Post-Panamax” vessels. This increased the available clearance under shallower draft hulls increasing the ability to attach objects under hull.

 

Benefits of an AUV platform

  • Low capital costs compared to alternatives.
  • Low operational costs
  • Minimal vessel and manpower support requirements
  • High-resolution in low visibility, high turbidity and night time conditions
  • Diverless operations remove human risk
  • Scanning ability with or without vessel cooperation
  • Minimal or no impact on vessel transit

 

Existing technology

Bluefin Robotics

HAUV from Bluefin

One company, Bluefin Robotics, a leader in the design and manufacturing of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), is being awarded a $30 million contract modification to exercise option III for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Hull Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Localization Systems (HULS) production systems. The HULS production systems support Naval Forces in conducting hull, piers and pilings searches. This unit would be called in to inspect individual threats

Battelle

Battelle Harbor Shield

Battelle is working on their Harbor Shield project using stationary sensor arrays to inspect cargo hull exteriors for explosives and other contraband in vessel traffic lanes. While presumably effective, the more permanent cables would be more expensive and unable to relocate quickly to different strategic positions. Both of these examples validate the need and interest for new technology.

 

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