📋 Tender Overview
OCEANSIDE Calif. -- The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering and Research Development Center (ERDC) demonstrated the Marine Corps Surf Observation (SUROB) Tool for Littoral Expeditionary Operations during the Office of Naval Researchs Technical Concept Experiment 24.2 (TCE 24.2) at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside Calif. Aug. 20-23.
The SUROB Tool fuses Navy and Army operational wave and current forecast models with tactical surf zone observations to generate real-time updated forecasts of surf zone conditions including breaking wave heights and locations water depths littoral currents surf zone width and amphibious combat vehicle (ACV) wheel touchdown points allowing Marines to make informed decision for littoral expeditionary access.
As part of the ONR-Global TechSolutions project the system integrates data from the NRL-developed LittoralLens small unmanned aerial systems nearshore models and other sensor feeds. The consolidated data is presented in an easily interpretable format tailored to existing Marine Corps training tactics techniques and procedures.
This tactical decision aid underscores the Department of the Navys commitment to providing our Marines with the most sophisticated tools to operate more efficiently in the littoral battlespace. Accurate surf observations are crucial for Marines as they ensure safe and efficient landings during amphibious operations. This technology reinforces our focus on innovation to meet the challenges of tomorrows mission and the importance of Joint Force partnerships. said NRL Ocean Sciences Division Superintendent Dr. John Sample SES.
Traditional surf observations are prolonged taking up to forty-five minutes. That time-consuming process is being assisted by advanced technologies reducing the surf observation to approximately fifteen minutes. The Modern SUROB Tool developed in a joint-forces project by NRL and the U.S. Army ERDC combines several innovative systems to streamline the process and provide real-time precise data for amphibious operations.
The LittoralLens system coupled within the Modern SUROB system-of-systems represents the fusion of advanced technology and mission driven innovation said NRL Ocean Sciences Division Principal Investigator and LittoralLens Co-Inventor Dr. Blake Landry from the Stennis Space Center. Our goal is to provide Marines with tools that not only meet but exceed the demands of modern expeditionary operations and afford Marines the ability to shift priorities in challenging training and contested environments.
The demonstration highlighted the capabilities of the LittoralLens system a compact imaging technology designed to estimate SUROB parameters and provide Modified Surf Index (MSI) values a mission-critical parameter that characterizes the surf zone and serves as a go/no threshold for U.S. Marine Corps operational maneuvers from the sea (OMFTS). The systems small form-factor enables onboard analysis on mobile platforms and is especially useful in covert operations due to its lack of active signature.
It is imperative that we continue to promote close collaboration between the warfighter and DOD research community which streamlines requirements from idea to prototype in an unprecedented timeline said U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joseph Lester Meteorology and Oceanography platoon commander Battlespace Surveillance Company with 1st Intelligence Battalion. The Marine Corps must continue to incorporate warfighter and Fleet Marine Force involvement in the research and development process to inform the scientific community of end-user requirements at the tactical edge. This warfighter-driven TechSolutions success story should become the norm not the exception.
Marine Corps Surf Observation
Photo by Nicholas Pasquini
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and Office of Naval Research-Global TechSolutions recently demonstrated the Marine Corps Surf Observation (SUROB) Tool for Littoral Expeditionary Operations during Technical Concept Experiment 24.2 (TCE 24.2) hosted by the Office of Naval Research at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside Calif. Aug. 20-23. Meteorology and Oceanography Battlespace Surveillance Company 1st Intelligence Battalion Marines conduct manual Surf Observations (SUROBs) while the NRL-developed LittoralLens system augments Marine SUROBs providing timely automated surf zone measurements for battlespace awareness in support of operational maneuvers from the sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Michael Walls)
At the core of the Modern SUROB Tool is the collaboration between NRL the U.S. Army ERDC and the Marines driven by real-world needs. The Modern SUROB tool is a testament to NRLs commitment to innovation and turning ideas into practical tools that enhance mission readiness and battlefield performance.
End-users are a part of the development of systems like LittoralLens to ensure the system nests well within their concept of operations Lester said. LittoralLens provides technological solutions to ensure surf-zone observation accuracy and will reduce commanders uncertainty while simultaneously increasing safety of operations in the littorals including amphibious operations.
This hands-on ONR-sponsored technical concept experiment allowed Marines - who originally requested this solution through the ONR-Global TechSolutions Program - to directly assess the technologys impact on their operations.
One of the key things that I always point out to technical performers who are developing technologies is that I want them to fail early and maybe even often so that we identify the problems to learn from it now instead of the failure happening during the operation said Office of Naval Research Program Officer Dr. Joong Kim and host of TCE 24.2. This is an opportunity to improve and succeed in the future.
The ONR-Global TechSolutions Program fosters innovation by engaging Sailors Marines of all ranks and science advisors to identify and
