NOAA, Northrop Grumman to Release Sonar Images of the USS Monitor Shipwreck Site
2025, members of Northrop Grumman’s Technology for Conservation team, along with scientists from NOAA and Stantec, deployed an AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) with an advanced sonar system, µSAS, to capture high-resolution imagery of the Monitor shipwreck site off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The fine-scale sonar scans will be used to help the public explore, understand, and protect NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Scientists from SEARCH participated in some of the planning meetings.NOAA designated the wreck of the USS Monitor as the nation's first national marine
Modelling Identifies Optimal Offshore Renewables Sites
the ocean’s tides, current and waves into electricity – hold tremendous potential for producing sustainable energy at a reasonable cost,” says Anderson de Queiroz, co-author of a paper on the work and an associate professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering at North Carolina State University. “We also know that putting wind turbines and marine hydrokinetic devices in the same location makes it possible to ensure a reliable flow of energy from offshore sites.“However, the initial cost of building these offshore sites is considerable, so it is important
There’s Plenty More “Fish” in the Sea
at Marine Technology News...One of the earliest documented examples of biomimicry is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci when he studied fish to help conceptualize a submarine.The latest case of studying fish for subsea machines is described this week in Marine Technology News. A team of researchers from North Carolina State University beat their own record for the fastest swimming soft robot, drawing inspiration from manta rays to improve their ability to control the robot’s movement in the water.But, there’s plenty more “fish” in the sea that have inspired subsea robotics, including:Scienti
Watch: Soft Robot Swims Like Manta Ray
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University has beaten its own record for the fastest swimming soft robot, drawing inspiration from manta rays to improve their ability to control the robot’s movement in the water.“Two years ago, we demonstrated an aquatic soft robot that was able to reach average speeds of 3.74 body lengths per second,” says Jie Yin, corresponding author of a paper on the work. “We have improved on that design. Our new soft robot is more energy efficient and reaches a speed of 6.8 body lengths per second. In addition, the previous model could
General Dynamics Mission Systems to Develop Clandestine Mine Delivery System
prototype production and support that, if exercised, would bring the total value of the contract to $58.1 million. Design work on this contract will be performed in Quincy and Taunton, Massachusetts; Fairfax and Manassas, Virginia; Scottsdale, Arizona; Middletown, Rhode Island and Greensboro, North Carolina and is expected to be completed by September 2026.“The critical operational need for advanced mine warfare assets like MEDUSA has increased dramatically,” said Dr. Laura Hooks, vice president and general manager of the Maritime and Strategic Systems business at General Dynamics Mission
Unlocking Ocean Power: $3.6M for Community-centric Wave Energy Converters
millions of homes, but to make a splash in the industry, the tech must balance engineering, socio-economic and environmental trade-offs.Coastal communities are partnering with a multidisciplinary research team to determine the best way to harvest wave energy at Beaver Island, Michigan, and Nags Head, North Carolina.The project is led by the University of Michigan, supported with $3.6 million from the National Science Foundation. It brings together researchers from five different institutions to help provide renewable energy that addresses the needs and concerns of coastal and island communities and identifies
University of North Carolina Wilmington Orders Research Vessel from All American Marine
Bellingham, Wash. shipbuilder All American Marine (AAM) announced it has been awarded a contract to build a 73-foot research vessel for the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). The vessel will operate as a multipurpose research platform capable of conducting a wide range of scientific missions, including oceanographic surveys, biological studies and educational outreach programs along the Mid-Atlantic, U.S. East Coast and offshore waters.The 73’ x 26.7’ aluminum catamaran, designed by Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand, incorporates a hydrofoil-assisted hull, ensuring
Chad Cary to Lead NOAA Corps and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
would also like to thank my predecessor, Vice Admiral (select) Nancy Hann, for her vision, courageous leadership and service to the nation.”Cary was born and raised in Alaska. He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis in marine sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before joining the NOAA Corps in 2001. He also holds a master’s degree in geography from Portland State University and a graduate certificate in legislative studies from Georgetown University
Underwater Power Grids Could Revolutionize How the US East Coast Gets Its Electricity
transformative solution: plans for an offshore electric power grid.How an offshore transmission backbone could reduce the number of transmission lines and land crossings. (Illustrations by Billy Roberts, NREL)At the core of this grid would be backbone transmission lines off the East Coast, from North Carolina to Maine, where dozens of offshore wind projects are already in the pipeline.The plans envision it supporting at least 85 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2050 – close to the U.S. goal of 110 GW of installed wind power by mid-century, enough to power 40 million homes and up from 0.2
February 2026
