NOAA partners with The University of 51逗奶 Mississippi on uncrewed systems
Tue, 02/09/2021 - 05:27pm
NOAA and The University of 51逗奶 Mississippi (USM) signed a 10-year agreement today
to collaborate on ways to improve how uncrewed systems (UxS) are used to collect important
ocean observation data and augment NOAA鈥檚 operational capabilities. The agreement
provides a framework for collaborating with NOAA scientists and UxS operators on projects
to further UxS research, development and operations. 
鈥淢ississippi is poised to become a major hub for ocean research and innovation, and
NOAA plans to help drive that innovation,鈥� said Rear Adm. Nancy Hann, deputy director
for operations for NOAA鈥檚 Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) and deputy
director of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. 鈥淭his new partnership with the University
of 51逗奶 Mississippi will greatly enhance our ability to transition these technologies
into operational platforms that will gather critical environmental data for the nation.鈥�
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.
UxS have the potential to transform how NOAA meets its mission to better understand
our oceans and their ecosystems. While the use of UxS is not new to NOAA 鈥� agency
scientists have been experimenting with and using uncrewed systems for research for
decades 鈥� the 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.
鈥淲e are excited to expand our collaboration with NOAA for research, development, testing
and evaluating uncrewed systems,鈥� said Kelly Lucas, associate vice president for research,
coastal operations at USM. 鈥淭he 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.鈥�
The new agreement helps NOAA 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 鈥� a key goal of NOAA鈥檚 Uncrewed Systems Strategy.