Military

DARPA's TUNA program completes first phase

DARPA's TUNA program completes first phase
TUNA uses a series of buoys and fiber optic cables to create temporary data networks for the US Navy
TUNA uses a series of buoys and fiber optic cables to create temporary data networks for the US Navy 
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TUNA uses a series of buoys and fiber optic cables to create temporary data networks for the US Navy
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TUNA uses a series of buoys and fiber optic cables to create temporary data networks for the US Navy 
WEBS was developed by the University of Washington
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WEBS was developed by the University of Washington
WEBS uses wave action to generate electricity for the TUNA network
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WEBS uses wave action to generate electricity for the TUNA network
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If truth is the first casualty of war, then communications come a close second. To keep the US Navy and allied fleets operating when data systems are disrupted, DARPA is conducting its Tactical Undersea Network Architectures (TUNA) program, which has completed its first phase of development. The tactical data network uses a system of rapidly-deployable buoys and advanced fiber optic technology to temporarily reestablish data networks at sea, that may have been destroyed due to enemy action or other forces.

According to DARPA, TUNA is a self-powering, quickly-deployable RF network that uses buoys connected by thin underwater fiber optic cables that are designed to last up to 30 days – the agency believes is enough time to bring the damaged primary network back online. The recently completed Phase 1 was intended to develop concepts and technologies in the fields of modelling and simulation, as well as at-sea testing of the buoys and cables.

A major part of this phase was finding a way of powering the network. The University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) found a solution in its Wave Energy Buoys that Self-deploy (WEBS). Designed to be folded into a cylinder that can be dropped from a ship or aircraft, these buoys are a triangle of floats that scissor in and out as they ride on the waves, to generate electricity for the data system.

WEBS uses wave action to generate electricity for the TUNA network
WEBS uses wave action to generate electricity for the TUNA network

DARPA says that TUNA Phase 2 will involve building an end-to-end system for laboratory and sea evaluation.

The video below describes TUNA and Phase 1 of its development.

Source: DARPA

Tactical Undersea Network Architecture (TUNA) - Phase 1 Completed

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3 comments
3 comments
S Michael
LOL.... if DARPA talks about it. Its already there.
Stephen N Russell
Test off HI, FL, PR & USVI then mass produce & deploy worldwide.
notarichman
It seems to me that if it isn't already there; then it should be! and 30 minute use should be 3 year use. how long does it take from the moment of an EMP to launch just one satellite with gps, etc. on it, let alone enough to cover the earth? will these be EMP protected? why not drop them with anchors into the seas now? unwind the cables to surface on command via low frequency like subs use. sink them again when satellites go up. reusable!