DATA & FIGURES
22 focus areas have been identified by the Navy's Strategic Systems Program to address the new threats, including sensors to protect harbors and security robots. The Navy is also interested in active protection systems for truck convoys hauling ICBMs to sub bases, which could be equipped with sensors and shotgun-like launchers to destroy incoming anti-tank rockets.
THE SCENARIO
The US Navy is operating in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment, where the threat of drone swarms and anti-tank rockets has become a reality. The Navy must adapt to these new threats and develop effective defenses to protect its ballistic missile submarines and shore installations. The use of underwater drones by Ukraine to damage a Russian submarine last year has shown that these threats are not just theoretical, but real and present.
DIRECT QUOTE
"This area seeks scalable solutions for shore-based installations and afloat operations in Port, Harbor, Littoral, and Waterways (PHLW) and open ocean environments." — Sources Sought announcement, US Navy
BBN INSIGHT
The Positive Side: The development of new defenses against drone and anti-tank rocket threats could provide a significant boost to the security of the US Navy's ballistic missile submarines. The use of prototype technologies and active protection systems could also have applications in other areas, such as protecting truck convoys and shore installations. The Negative Side: The emergence of these new threats highlights the vulnerability of the US Navy's ballistic missile submarines and the need for significant investment in new defenses. The development of these defenses will also require significant resources and funding, which could be a challenge in a budget-constrained environment.