Successful Collaboration Between NSWC PCD and NORBIT in Intruder Detection Sonar Testing

In December 2024, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) and NORBIT achieved a significant milestone in their partnership by successfully conducting operations involving their GuardPoint 70 and GuardPoint 100 Intruder Detection Sonars.

As the landscape of underwater threats continues to evolve, with a focus on underwater drones and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) of all sizes, NORBIT sonars were put to the test. Throughout weeks of testing, NORBIT sonars demonstrated their capability to detect and track multiple AUV form factors across various range and depth scenarios.

The deployment of GuardPoint systems enabled the collection of valuable data, which was utilized under the terms of a recent five-year extension to a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between NSWC PCD and NORBIT. This agreement ensures that NORBIT’s expertise and resources provide significant benefits to US Government Stakeholders.

Eric Levitt, NORBIT’s Vice President for Maritime Security and Defense, expressed his satisfaction with the performance of their systems in challenging shallow water environments. He commended the professional team at NSWC Panama City Division for their continued delivery of capability and resources, stating, “Having two of our GuardPoint solutions tested in such demanding conditions under controlled programs is a testament to the leading Intruder Detection Sonar capability of GuardPoint in the US.”

The successful collaboration between NSWC PCD and NORBIT underscores the importance of innovation and partnership in addressing evolving security challenges in the maritime domain. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and expertise, both parties have demonstrated their commitment to enhancing maritime security and defense capabilities.

As threats in the underwater domain continue to advance, the results of this testing serve as a testament to the effectiveness of NORBIT’s GuardPoint sonars in detecting and tracking intruders. This achievement highlights the value of collaboration between industry and government entities in safeguarding our maritime interests.