Proteus Maritime and Edith Cowan University have joined forces to create an undersea mesh system to transform defence communication, Australian Defence Magazine reports.
“Congratulations to Proteus Maritime and Edith Cowan University for being awarded the WA Government’s $200,000 Defence and Research Teaming grant,” WA Defence Industries Minister, Paul Papalia, stated.
“This technology will potentially give our submarines, and sea drones the upper hand with a clear line of communication even in hostile waters.”
Currently, standard radio-frequency communications have had limitations underwater, because radio waves do not travel through water.
“This work by Proteus Maritime and ECU could prove to be a game changer for creating reliable pathways in undersea communications for submarines, subsea drones and sensors,” WA Science and Innovation Minister, Stephen Dawson, said.
An undersea mesh communication system is like “underwater Wi-Fi”, which will hopefully allow devices deep in the ocean to connect in real time.
Instead of relying on one central hub which might fail, the devices will form a “mesh” meaning each one can connect to the others that are nearby, creating a reliable web of communication.
“We are proud of what our local businesses and researchers are achieving, and the State Government continues to invest in the defence sector to help it to grow,” Minister Papalia commented.
The innovation will not only bolster communication between submarines, subsea drones and sensors but also potentially support scientific research as well as search and rescue operations.
The undersea mesh communication system concept was originally developed and presented last year within the Exercise Western Dawn (Ex WD) Innovation Program, where it was also named the overall 2024 winner.
The highly competitive Defence and Research Teaming grant process is administered through Defence West’s Defence Science Centre. Submissions were assessed by an independent panel against the criteria of novelty, feasibility, value for money, effect, and collaboration.
