Submarine Security & Technology

The foundation of our core competencies is first-principles studies of undersea phenomenology and test and evaluation of advanced concepts to prevent or correct submarine detection vulnerabilities. Our data fusion work addresses intra-platform tactical control challenges for the submarine, surveillance, air, and surface combat control communities. Command & Control programs address inter-platform challenges, planning for network-enabled undersea warfare concentrating on force vulnerability assessment & situational awareness, force optimization, force planning, and automation. System Engineering Concepts focuses on development of an overarching system of systems framework to meet the objectives of SEAPOWER 21 antisubmarine warfare. That challenging task requires a shift from the current platform-centric approaches to a capabilities approach. Development of advanced capable sensors is required, as well as development of the communications and information-sharing approaches to move the concept from that of a family of systems to a true system of systems.

For more information, contact P. W. Jacobus
USW Employment Opportunities

Submarine Security and Survivability

The SSBN Security Program is APL's largest, longest-term undersea warfare program; we have been the Navy's Lead Laboratory for more than 30 years. The program provides authoritative assessments of the vulnerability of U.S. SSBNs to detection and prosecution by any means, whether actual threats or those technologies with the potential of being technologically feasible. Our independent physics-based program provided critical information of detection shortfalls and opportunities for exploitation, including development of countermeasures. The program also serves as a kind of "skunkworks" for the US Navy providing fundamental understanding and transitioning numerous concepts and technologies to antisubmarine warfare programs.

In 2004, the SSBN Security Program was expanded to include SSN and SSGN platforms within its scope and renamed the Submarine Security and Survivability Program. Submarine Survivability focuses on SSN and SSGN vulnerabilities to detection and development of specific countermeasures. The primary concern is submarine detectability while operating in forward areas.

Littoral Warfare Advanced Development

APL leads the science team for the Littoral Warfare Advanced Development project sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. At-sea test support includes planning, environmental site characterizations and system performance predictions, at-sea data collection, navigation and communication systems support, and post-test reconstruction and archiving. In 2004, APL coordinated test planning activities involving more than 15 organizations, ensuring that developmental technologies and legacy system participants were effectively integrated for the exercise.

For the largest and most successful LWAD exercise to date, conducted in the East China Sea in 2005, APL led the installation of oceanographic and acoustic sensor data collection equipment. We provided initial on-site environmental and acoustic system analysis along with at-sea leadership. Participants included six Japanese research vessels, three pairs of U.S. and Japanese military platforms (two destroyers, two submarines, and two helicopters), four Japanese and U.S. Marine Patrol Aircraft, 16 ocean drifters for ocean current measurement, and 92 Japanese and U.S. test participants. The tests collected a significant amount of scientific performance data for several Navy programs, meeting their overall system concept evaluation objectives. APL's role within LWAD expanded to also provide navigation, communication and logistics support for LWAD sea tests.