Ocean Sciences
Abstract
The Ocean, Atmosphere & Space Science program advances our understanding of atmospheric and space phenomena/processes which, during naval operations, may range from the seabed, to surface sea-state conditions to high altitude space sensing. Highly dynamic conditions researched within this PE include artic conditions, ocean acoustics, coastal and seabed geoscience, meteorology, anti-submarine operations, mine counter measures, marine mammal biology and maritime sensing. Basic research advances improve the precision and reliability of ocean, atmospheric and space environmental products provided to the warfighter and allow for increasingly accurate assessments and predictions of the impact of space and atmospheric phenomena on the performance of naval weapon systems. Understanding and predicting oceanographic and acoustical phenomena provides significant warfighting advantages to naval forces. Ocean Sciences research addresses the full spectrum of acoustics and oceanography to enable observation, modeling, and prediction of the maritime environment. Efforts include: studying common operating areas for naval forces in the open oceans, the Arctic, the littorals, and nearshore and river mouths and inlet environments; elucidating the coupling between oceanographic, geophysical and acoustical phenomena relevant to mission areas such as Anti-Submarine Warfare and Mine Warfare; development of global, regional and local predictive models that fully couple the ocean-atmosphere-wave- ice domains; development and use of autonomous systems and sampling technologies for the collection of environmental observations and continuing support to research vessels of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet to enable at-sea oceanographic science. Naval Expeditionary Forces need science advances to address a range of research challenges that result from physical and operational environmental limitations so harsh that solutions push basic discovery and invention. Naval Expeditionary Forces operate amphibiously and in the littoral will have all of their capabilities exposed to degrading sea and land physical effects. Expeditionary forces must be agile and lethal but will be constrained by size, weight, and power requirements and must be sustained across large areas. Research efforts within this Project (previously aligned within the Sciences Addressing Hybrid Threats (SAHT) research area of Project 0000) include optics, electronics, and photonics research to enable revolutionary spectral awareness in small low power sensors. The Science and Engineering Education, Career Development and Outreach research activities address the critical need to grow and maintain a diverse and highly skilled technical naval workforce. These efforts inspire, engage, educate and attract participants to pursue naval careers and build the extramural performer base. DON Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and outreach is designed to increase the number of students and naval civilians with naval-relevant skills and degrees, expand capabilities of the current and future workforce by augmenting education and increasing the awareness of Naval Ocean Battlespace Sensing research and career opportunities through localized education and outreach activities that foster the talent pipeline.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 523d37198ba2a63e7791eb2506b22b52