NOAA Partners with University of Southern Mississippi on Uncrewed Systems

A 10-year agreement signed Thursday between NOAA and the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) aims to improve how uncrewed systems (UxS) are used to collect ocean observation data and augment NOAA’s operational capabilities. The deal provides a framework for collaborating with NOAA scientists and UxS operators on projects to further UxS research, development and operations.

“Mississippi is poised to become a major hub for ocean research and innovation, and NOAA plans to help drive that innovation,” said Rear Adm. Nancy Hann, deputy director for operations for NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) and deputy director of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. “This new partnership with the University of Southern Mississippi will greatly enhance our ability to transition these technologies into operational platforms that will gather critical environmental data for the nation.”

UxS are sensor-equipped vehicles that operate autonomously or are remotely piloted. NOAA currently uses UxS for seafloor and habitat mapping, ocean exploration, marine mammal and fishery stock assessments, emergency response, and at-sea observations that improve forecasting of extreme events, such as hurricanes, harmful algal blooms and hypoxia.

NOAA believes UxS have the potential to transform how it meets its mission to better understand our oceans and their ecosystems. While the use of UxS is not new to NOAA—agency scientists have been experimenting with and using uncrewed systems for research for decades—the technological advancement and recent increase in the availability of highly capable UxS has brought a corresponding increase in their innovative use as a force multiplier for many NOAA programs. Advancing partnerships with academia will be essential to the development and use of these technologies, the agency said.

“We are excited to expand our collaboration with NOAA for research, development, testing and evaluating uncrewed systems,” said Kelly Lucas, associate vice president for research, coastal operations at USM. “The use of uncrewed systems increases safety and productivity and allows us to expand coverage and access of ocean space, especially in remote, hazardous or extreme environments. Coupled with sensor development, artificial intelligence and machine learning, uncrewed systems will transform data collection and processes to help users make informed decisions.”

NOAA noted the new agreement helps it meet the objectives of the Commercial Engagement Through Ocean Technology Act of 2018, which requires the agency to coordinate research, assess, and acquire uncrewed systems with the U.S. Navy, other federal agencies, industry and academia. In Fiscal Year 2021, NOAA received $13.7 million from Congress to improve and expand UxS operations across the agency, including the creation of the OMAO Uncrewed Systems Operations Center, a key goal of NOAA’s Uncrewed Systems Strategy.