Non-Subscriber Extract
Deep Siren holds key to US submarine communications problem
By Tony Skinner
16 November 2007
The US Navy has awarded Raytheon a USD5.2 million development contract to work on technology central to resolving the 'submarine communications at speed and depth' conundrum.
Under the contract, Raytheon will work with UK companies RRK Technologies and Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems to develop the Deep Siren expendable long-range acoustic tactical pager.
Announcing the contract on 13 November, Raytheon said the Deep Siren system had the potential to allow the submarine to fully participate across the spectrum of naval missions rather than having to adhere to previously established communication schedules to make contact with commanders.
"Submarine communication protocols are much the same as they were 60 years ago," said Raytheon Network Centric Systems' Integrated Communications Systems Vice President Jerry Powlen.