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SAS 2017: Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) technologies

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Sea Air Space 2017 Online Show Coverage - ONR and NRL press release
 
 
 
SAS 2017: Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) technologies
 
Advanced software that can transform existing medium-sized vessels into unmanned ships able to autonomously complete naval missions. A four-legged, bio-inspired robot that can perform reconnaissance or dispose of explosives safely. A drone that merges the flying capabilities of a helicopter and airplane.
     
Medium-Displacement Unmanned Surface Vessel (MDUSV) (photo Navy Recognition)
     
These are just a few of the technologies the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is showcasing at the 2017 Sea-Air-Space Exposition, held April 3-5 at the Gaylord Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

“The Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition provides a great opportunity to share information between representatives of the services, industry and academia, while showcasing ONR’s cutting-edge research and technology programs,” said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. David J. Hahn. “These partnerships will be crucial to maintaining our nation’s lead in technology development, particularly in the areas of distributed lethality, unmanned systems and cyber-defense.”

Program officers from ONR and NRL are on hand in the booth to discuss their pioneering work and potential research opportunities.

Attendees can view a detailed, four-foot model of Sea Hunter, the test platform for the MDUSV autonomy software, which was developed in partnership between ONR and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The MDUSV software will enable future unmanned, autonomous ships to better counter mines and track submarines, travel for longer periods of time without refueling, and use anti-collision technology that complies with maritime law and regulations for preventing collisions at sea.
     
MeRLIn (Meso-scale Robotic Locomotion Initiative) (photo Navy Recognition)
     

MeRLIn (Meso-scale Robotic Locomotion Initiative): MeRLIn is a bio-inspired, 10-pound robot designed to jump and climb. Hydraulic-powered, the robot may one day conduct scouting, reconnaissance or explosive-ordnance missions for Marines.

Tern (Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node): Attendees can see a model of Tern, a versatile flying scout drone developed by ONR and DARPA. Tern can perch on ships, even those without runways, and take off vertically like a helicopter, before transitioning to plane-like horizontal flight in midair.
     
Tern (Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node) (photo Navy Recognition)