Deep Ocean Surveillance System from DARPA

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is advancing a deep ocean surveillance system, employing sensor grids on or adjoining the seabed for tracking unobtrusive submarines in the water column above.

This Deep Sea Operations (DSOP) programme is focused on establishing an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) inspection for safeguarding US carrier strike group processes in deep ocean zones. After accomplishing a Phase 1a design experiments in 2010, DARPA has disclosed a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to seek sonar concept design proposals.

DARPA explains that the design experiments carried out during Phase 1a of DSOP supports system explanations for configurable technology in providing ASW reconnaissance over broad, functionally relevant, deep ocean zones. This methodology proposed a background for a system of systems, functional with sensors or sources neighboring the ocean floor; exploit the features of distributed nodes; organize a range of functions, conditions and schedule; and adjust to the flexibility of surface resources or developing threats.

Source: http://www.darpa.mil