Friday, July 23, 2021

DHS, USM team evaluating Tritons

The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is evaluating innovative ocean surveillance technology to support the Coast Guard’s mission of protecting the nation's 95,000 miles of maritime border, inland waterways and seaports. S&T has teamed with the CG, and among other entities that include the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) to develop, acquire, evaluate, and test specialized, wind and solar powered multi-mission capable, unmanned surface and underwater vessels. Initial acceptance testing of six Triton vessels was conducted at USM’s Marine Research Center (MRC) at the Port of Gulfport. During ongoing testing, the team will utilize MRC’s specialized lab and waterfront access to evaluate the Tritons’ capabilities in areas that include navigation, surface, diving, and subsurface operations; operating effectively for long periods of time using only wind and solar power; and use of it as a platform for cameras and advanced sensors to anomalies and threats. AVs represent an emerging technology that "could be integrated into various Coast Guard missions,” said Scott Craig, unmanned systems research and development lead for the CG. The teams will continue to evaluate the Tritons throughout the summer offshore in Gulfport. (Source: Work Boat 07/23/21) DHS tests innovative autonomous surface and underwater ocean surveillance technology | WorkBoat

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