Dispatches from ICEX: Project Amber

David R. Strachan -


Photo by Alexander Hafemann / Unsplash

Project AMBER is underway to assess the viability of the Atom-class microsubmarine and Strikepods as a full-spectrum Arctic seabed warfare platform.

Until recently, when considering the Atom-class for mine warfare (MIW), we envisioned it as an extension of a surface vessel's organic sensor capability - that is, a highly advanced mine countermeasures (MCM) package that could be distributed broadly throughout the fleet. However, as the U.S. Navy's thinking on MIW is evolving, and both Russia and China have taken a sharp interest in unmanned systems and seabed warfare, this vision must be significantly broadened in light of the potential for conflict occurring on or near the ocean floor.

Project AMBER seeks to establish the Atom-class microsubmarine and its operational formation, the Strikepod, as the Navy's premier platform for seabed warfare. Rather than relying on fixed undersea infrastructure, or the placement of static bottom munitions or CAPTOR-style mines, the modular, mobile Atom-class can assume the role of either sensor or effector, from sonar array to communications node to weapon, whether mobile, hovering, or fixed on the seabed, dynamically reconfiguring at a moment’s notice to compensate for losses or malfunctions and ensure mission success. A Strikepod can deploy to the seabed, activate its sensors, then proceed to detect, identify, and engage hostile targets on or below the ocean surface. It can then remain fixed in place until recalled - replenished and repositioning as needed - or "pack up" and transit to an entirely new location.

The ADSEWA Module

Thirty Atom-class microsubmarines are currently deployed to ICEX 2018. Eighteen of these have been fitted with the new Advanced Seabed Warfare (ADSEWA) module, which houses a suite of improved undersea communications and electronic warfare technologies, as well as highly advanced pressure, magnetic, and acoustic sensors, including the Seabed Static Array System (SEASTAR). SEASTAR is a passive microsonar array that deploys from a seabed-based Atom-class via a hatch located aft of the sail, and extends upward through the water column to a height of up to fifty meters. A towed version of SEASTAR is currently under development, which would greatly enhance the Atom's hull-mounted microsonar and enable a Strikepod to effectively act as a roving minefield, providing wide operating coverage during A2/AD operations.

Project Phases

Project AMBER will unfold in four distinct phases during the course of ICEX 2018:

  • Phase 1: Environmental Testing
    Strikepods of varying numbers and configurations will deploy to the sea floor, exploring different depths and locations to measure the effects of environmental conditions on communications, navigation, data transfer, and overall system performance.

  • Phase 2: Detect to Engage
    Strikepods will test undersea target detection, identification, and tracking utilizing the three classes of attack submarine on station, as well as a range of unmanned underwater vehicles.

  • Phase 3: Anti-Submarine Engagement
    Strikepods will detect, identify, track, and engage undersea targets using both kinetic and non-kinetic effects. Submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles will be engaged using various decoy and acoustic jamming measures, as well as onboard Remora-mode tracking. UUVs will be tracked and engaged in a live-fire exercise.

  • Phase 4: Anti-Seabed Engagement
    Strikepods will detect, identify, and engage mock seabed targets, such as sonar arrays, docking stations, and power grids, using both inert and live kinetic effects.

Data collected from AMBER will enable accelerated deployment of seabed warfare Strikepods to the fleet.

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Strikepod Command