Future Directions in Bioluminescence Research

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ABSTRACT

Operational Analysis Issues

RADM Tom Donaldson

Commander Naval Meteorological and Oceanographic Command, Stennis Space Center, MS

Low-light sensor technology has tactical Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) applications. Recent advances in low-light sensors and signal processing, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and oceanographic measurements in littoral environments have combined to provide an opportunity to employ a tactical, airborne, ASW system that exploits the natural phenomenon of marine bioluminescence. The National Maritime Strategy will continue to place naval forces in shallow water environments in support of the Navy's missions of Forward Presence and Power Projection. The contribution of non-acoustic sensors to ASW increases in acoustically shallow and depth-limited environments. With the advent of ship-based UAVs, capable of near-continuous, nighttime flight operations, surface ships will have an enhanced ASW and torpedo detection capability through the use of a passive relatively inexpensive, optical sensor. Ship-based UAVs will have a valid, nighttime ASW mission capability at tactical search rates in limited-area search scenarios.

The presentation addresses the tactical applications of low-light sensors to ASW, the determining environmental factors and the need for better characterization, modeling and prediction of marine bioluminescence.

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