Ocean Systems

Our ocean systems programs develop complex, innovative maritime systems for a variety of Navy sponsors. Many are designed to collect data from special operations involving deployed submarines. These tasks draw heavily on acoustic and optical technologies as well as the science and engineering associated with conducting ultra-precise navigation. Along with developing sensors and data collection tools, APL supports system testing, installation, maintenance, and user training.

We are helping the Navy develop integrated distributed systems and developing advanced sensor and signal processing techniques by exploiting rapidly developing technologies associated with autonomous sensors. And we are working to establish the physical understanding, technology, and prototype systems for assuring future ocean and port security against potentially emerging threats.

The tasks included under the Ocean Systems component represent an array of critical engineering challenges to be overcome. We develop suites of sensors that must be rugged enough to operate in a wide spectrum of hostile ocean conditions. We provide passive submarine navigation and decision aids, specialized submerged sensor operation without ready access for adjustment or repair, and integrated, turn-key ocean data collection.

APL has 25 years of experience in producing maritime sensor and data collection systems for acquiring specialized ocean data. These systems have covered a wide spectrum of technologies including acoustic imagery, bottom bathymetry, precision navigation, ocean contaminant measurement associated with unmanned vehicles and integrated data collection storage.

We work with our Navy sponsors to take advantage of commercial technology developments within the civilian ocean engineering business. But where technology is not available in the commercial sector, the Ocean Engineering programs develop needed special-purpose technologies in our own facilities. Through our Internal Research and Development program, we support early-stage technology developments to mature the technology to a state of operational transition. Ocean Systems programs also collaborate with APL’s Research & Technology Development Center to advance the state of those technologies necessary to operate in the ocean environment.

For more information, contact G. P. Bardsley
USW Employment Opportunities