Unlocking interoperability in the underwater domain: secure acoustic communications

New concepts of operations are emerging which look to increase lethality by leveraging additional sensing capabilities from remote and autonomous systems that operate alongside crewed ships and submarines. The aim is not simply to remove the sailor from the battlefield. Rather, the objective is to deliver increased mission success by providing sailors with additional tools that extend the range of their sensing capabilities, allowing them to gain quick and easy access to actionable data.

Autonomous systems provide a range of capabilities that can deliver persistent underwater surveillance. They can act as the spearhead to a strike group, they can enhance situational awareness by monitoring chokepoints, and they can scale and help extend our reach beyond our own sensing capability.

These concepts require an effective, low probability of intercept and secure network. The solution today is to standardise on one specific supplier using acoustic modems that use the same proprietary protocols. This is not only ineffective, it can compromise security.

New thinking is required. Our technology partner Sonardyne has been playing an important role. Want to know more??Follow the link.