Noblis’ engineers and scientists have provided extensive support to national and international oceanographic, ocean engineering, and marine systems communities. In addition to our corporate-sponsored research, we provide effective program design, procurement, and contract management services to our customers:
Supported the National Ocean Service (NOS) in its mission to ensure the safety and efficiency of maritime commerce
Reported on nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical threats in the water for the Naval Space and Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR)
Developed a concept of operations to defend our ports and maritime infrastructure against terrorist threats
Assisted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the establishment and growth of the Office of Ocean Exploration (OE)
Fostered the creation and growth of the National Coastal Data Development Center
Provided systems engineering planning and documentation for the Integrated Ocean Observation Systems
Noblis’ contributions in the areas of marine technology and ocean engineering have helped enhance science’s understanding of the world’s oceans and our nation’s marine resources. Armed with this knowledge, our government and the science community are better able to effectively manage these resources in the public interest.
Improved Navigation to Safeguard Maritime Commerce
Safe navigation of vessels carrying products to and from American ports is an essential consideration for maritime commerce—a critical component of the U.S. economy. Noblis helped NOS find and evaluate effective methods for carrying out its mission to provide data that would facilitate safe navigation of marine vessels. We supported NOS in a variety of activities:
- Studied various hydrographic vessels to identify best candidates for NOS
- Defined navigation safety programs to facilitate safe passage of commercial vessels
- Provided analysis of the current and projected in-house costs and benefits of NOAA light aircraft operations
- Developed and implemented a test and evaluation master plan for the Microwave Air Gap Sensors
- In conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard, reported on the development of real-time tide and current systems in U.S. ports
Maritime Security
Noblis is making important contributions to technology innovations for maritime security. In support of SPAWAR, we provided technical assessment of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear explosive sensors for marine applications. This work has contributed to greater security and safety of U.S. soldiers and sailors.
Through a corporate-sponsored research project, Noblis engineers evaluated threats to maritime security and identified clandestine mining as a significant risk to the nation’s ports and waterways. Noblis then developed a concept of operations and technology suite optimized for use by local first responders, a concept that could provide a new line of defense in coastal areas.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
Noblis is a leader in the development and application of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). As unmanned submarines have rapidly evolved over the past decade, Noblis has maintained expertise in this technology. Our engineers have developed and deployed AUVs in several applications, including coastal surveys, marine archaeology, physical oceanography, experimental mine countermeasures, and fisheries research. We led a NOAA team advising the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Diving and Salvage in the use of AUVs during the search for submerged debris from the space shuttle Columbia. Noblis currently leads NOAA’s AUV Working Group and is helping the agency draw up a development and application plan for using AUV technology across NOAA.
Advanced Marine Technologies
Noblis maintains expertise in a variety of advanced marine technologies, including remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), undersea navigation, side-scan sonar, and marine instrumentation. We applied this expertise as we assisted OE in establishing a technology research and development program. We also helped OE develop specifications for a new ROV that will be used on their dedicated exploration vessel, which will enter service in 2007.
In addition, in 2004, Noblis served as ROV navigators for an expedition to the RMS Titanic. The expedition relied upon state-of-the-art marine technology to accomplish its mission under challenging conditions.
Joint NOAA-NASA Ocean Technology Development
Noblis participated as a member of the Management Team and assisted in the planning and coordination of the 2002 NOAA-NASA Link Project Symposium at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. By crossing boundaries and working together, NOAA and NASA scientists, engineers, and explorers discovered that they had much in common and could share solutions to some of science's most important challenges. The Link Project was designed to capture this cooperative spirit for the purpose of developing new and innovative ocean and space technologies. Noblis also provided website development and maintenance services in support of the Link Project.
Air Gap Sensor Test & Evaluation Master Plan
Noblis provided support to the NOS Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) as it developed and implemented plans that allowed CO-OPS to validate the Miros Microwave Air Gap Sensor. This support included developing a test and evaluation master plan (TEMP) and testing procedures. Development of an implementation plan was required to support decision-making regarding leveraging existing assets into an effective Nationwide NOS Instrument testing strategy for the new millennium.