Sub hunter under design

The growing number of adversaries able to build and operate quiet diesel electric submarines is a national security threat that affects U.S. and friendly naval operations around the world.

To address this emerging threat, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency recently awarded a contract for Phases 2-4 of its Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel program to Science Applications International Corp., McLean, Va.
During Phases 2-4 the ACTUV program will attempt to design, construct and demonstrate an unmanned vessel that tracks quiet diesel electric submarines for months at a time spanning thousands of kilometers of ocean with minimal human input.

“Key features and technology for the vessel include advanced software, robust autonomy for safe operations in accordance with maritime laws, and innovative sensors to continuously track the quietest of submarine targets,” said Scott Littlefield, DARPA program manager.

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