Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Underwater Secure Text Messaging and Diver Locater

Small combat dive teams require a situational awareness capability that combines robust, low probability of detection (LPD) communication with navigation/tracking functions. The project will result in a compact terminal for underwater acoustics based communication, navigation and tracking. The Diver Messaging and Navigation Terminal (DMNT) will be rugged and easy to use, warranting a description of ‘off-the-shelf’ in the sense that a diver can pick up the device and learn its basic operation in minimum time. Recognizing that high-performance technologies often fail when conditions turn adverse, DMNT will include multiple ‘step-back’ features that take over and assure high availability of essential capabilities. A S&T issue of the project is the choice of optimal waveforms and transmission schemes that have LPD. The phase-1 prototype will include a homing capability and use precision synchronized clocks for accurate ranging without any diver transmissions. With Desert Star’s field-proven frequency hopping spread spectrum technology (FHSS) establishing baseline performance, advanced LPD waveforms will be explored in the phase-1 option. Desert Star’s extensive capabilities and COTS/MOTS product line accelerate the project. In phase-1, we will build a prototype and conduct field testing of the proposed technologies, the results guiding the development of a production ready capability in phase-2.