They also provide a way to of Naval Research and coordiProject UPSIDE (Undersea Perimeter integrate the targets these nated by the Rhode Island sensors locate, providing user System Integrated Defense Environment) is Economic Development friendly displays topside with a new initiative, funded by the Office of Corporation (RIEDC) to exact positions and classificaprovide an integrated test bed tion (ie. is it a fish, a person, Naval Research and coordinated by the system to allow prototype another vehicle or something undersea security systems to Rhode Island Economic Development unknown ) The system can be evaluated. be set upon the seafloor or Corporation (RIEDC) to provide an integrat- UPSIDE will also provide a deployed right over the side simulation environment ed test bed system to allow prototype of a vessel in close quarters. using relevant scenarios and Some applications for this realistic operational condiundersea security systems to be evaluated. tions as well as mission particular brand of intruder detection include LNG terrehearsal, mission execution minals, mega yachts, exclusive waterfront properties, ship and post mission assessment for personnel training. The terminals, or navy ships in port. final goal of the project is to provide an undersea perimeAnother version of the Swimmer Detection Sonar is that ter defense system that can either be operated in a stand of the very same name made by Lockheed Martin. It's a alone mode or integrated into a comprehensive maritime 360 degree omni directional sonar system designed to defense system which integrates underwater and topside protect the port assets from attacks by swimming intrud- tools. ers. It's a long range, high frequency wideband sonar sysFarSounder, a provider of forward seeking sonar devices, tem that is specifically useful with bare skinned surface is one of seven Rhode Island organizations providing techswimmers or snorkelers, SCUBA divers, or combat divers nology components to UPSIDE. Cheryl Zimmerman, using self propelled underwater vehicles. This system can President of FarSounder said, "We are providing the senbe left to watch statically or dropped over the side. It's sor to detect and localize the threat for phase one and portability makes it particularly useful for busy ports. adding in threat identification at a later phase of the projWhat's missing in the marketplace is a total turn key sys- ect. tem that integrates underwater data points with surface We will also output the information to the command radar, GPS, autonomous vehicles and in the case of the and control system to send the info to the appropriate military, weaponized systems. The Naval Underwater teams. Products and services from Rite Solutions, Purvis Warfare Center in Newport Systems, Smiths Detection is leading the charge on The eLOUD main control unit. LiveWave, SubChem developing components (Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard R&D Center) Systems, Electric Boat and that will be integrated into NUWC will be integrated to such a system. Their mission result in a turn key swimis to eliminate the need to mer/intruder detection syssend war fighters anywhere tem. According to John near where there might be Riendeau, Defense Industry underwater defense systems Manager for the Rhode set up. Those systems could Island Economic include mines, people or Development Agency, "the any other devices that would system we have proposed set off alarms and ultimately will be able to identify, classihurt our forces. fy, signal first responders, Project UPSIDE deploy an autonomous vehi(Undersea Perimeter System cle that will be equipped Integrated Defense with real time video and for Environment) is a new iniproject UPSIDE, we are tiative, funded by the Office placing a strobe light on the
34 MTR May 2007
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