DSEND

From the ocean floors to the polar caps, APL is developing technologies that strengthen human and system performance in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. Under direction of the Office of Naval Research, APL is providing technology integration, research, development, and programmatic support for the Deep Sea Expeditionary No Decompression (DSEND) project—an effort to design a next-generation dive suit that significantly improves mobility, safety, and flexibility for military divers.

All About the DSEND Dive Suit

• Target depth: 1,000 feet
• Combines the mobility and deep-dive capabilities of surface-supplied and atmospheric suits
• Novel technologies include a high-definition display that provides 3D spatial awareness via sonar, infrared vision, wireless communication, and mixed-reality capabilities
• Relays complete telemetry information to surface operators

The suit is designed for walking on the sea floor and equipped with rotating and articulating joints that allow freer, more natural movement. In a significant first for an atmospheric dive suit, APL plans to produce the articulating joints through additive manufacturing. And with a modular design, the suit can be form-fitted to divers of different body shapes and sizes and easily packaged and transported on commercial flights.