US Navy developing new MVSOT solutions
The US Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) is developing a new non-lethal tool designed to slow down or stop on-coming target vessels.
The Maritime Vessel Stopping Occlusion Technologies (MVSOT) uses technologies that limit or remove the ability of a propulsion system to provide thrust to a boat, but in a reversible manner.
The MVSOT programme is currently testing commercially available drogue lines for a near term solution. These drogue lines use lengths of rope with sea anchors to restrict forward momentum of a target boat using drag forces. Testing to date has shown these products to be repeatable and reliable, although limited to only certain vessel types.
The programme is also developing next generation occlusion materials for an all-in-one solution. These materials include synthetic hagfish slime and spider silk proteins, which lend advanced swelling, adhesive, and strength properties not available in current commercial products.
Michelle Kincer, NSWC PCD materials engineer, said: ‘These technologies are persistent but reversible, allowing the warfighter increased stand-off time and distance to de-escalate a potentially threatening situation. MVSOT solutions may provide the warfighter a new capability for their toolkit which will allow them more time to ascertain the intent of an oncoming vessel.’
As these next generation solutions develop, the MVSOT team will look to integrate the different materials in a total solution package and test in scaled test tanks as well as in-water at-sea testing.
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![South Korean navy orders four more Geomdoksuri Batch-II patrol vessels]()
South Korean navy orders four more Geomdoksuri Batch-II patrol vessels
The contract follows on from previous work by Hanjin Heavy Industries on the Republic of Korea's Navy’s (ROKN's) fleet.
-
![Virginia and Columbia-class submarine programmes sign long-term parts deals]()
Virginia and Columbia-class submarine programmes sign long-term parts deals
Parts from both US and Australian manufacturers will be used to build two critical submarine classes.
-
![Joint Expeditionary Force launches AI protection net for undersea cables]()
Joint Expeditionary Force launches AI protection net for undersea cables
The UK-led system assesses potential threats before they result in undersea cable damage.
-
![Entire Black Sea “a contested maritime area”, says Commander of Estonian Navy]()
Entire Black Sea “a contested maritime area”, says Commander of Estonian Navy
The use of uncrewed vessels and vehicles has been crucial so far, but the Commander of the Estonian Navy warns against inflating their importance.
-
![Algeria signals a shift to domestic shipbuilding for Type 056 corvettes]()
Algeria signals a shift to domestic shipbuilding for Type 056 corvettes
The government recently commissioned a report on the viability of increased Algerian shipbuilding.
-
![US Navy names DDG 146 Arleigh Burke destroyer after former US Senator]()
US Navy names DDG 146 Arleigh Burke destroyer after former US Senator
The latest of the Flight III Arleigh Burke vessels has been named for a former US Senator and Vietnam veteran.
