The US Office of Naval Research (ONR) has contracted Beacon Interactive Systems to deliver Operational Condition Based Maintenance (CBM+) for a US Navy Pacific partner.
This initiative aims to bolster situational awareness and interoperability, aligning with the Department of Defense's (DoD) vision of increased collaboration with US Allies and Partners.
Beacon Interactive Systems will collaborate with the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Lowell to develop a bridge simulator for ongoing experimentation.
This collaboration leverages Beacon's digital products, eLogBook for the Watchstander and SEAS for Energy Command & Control, currently deployed across the US Navy.
This initiative provides visibility into the operational impacts of equipment failures, improving strategic resource usage and combined battlegroup awareness.
Beacon Global Markets director Shenhav Ruttner said: “We at Beacon are thrilled to offer US Navy tested and deployed, world class systems licensable by allies and partners that will foster more collaborative and interoperable military operations.”
ONR Global, Beacon, and UMass Lowell's collaboration will produce an immersive bridge simulator at the university, providing a research environment to investigate the impacts of digital situational awareness on human performance.
UMass Lowell National Security Strategy and Partnerships associate vice chancellor Mathew Correa said: “this strategic partnership with Beacon leverages UML's core research capabilities and deep ecosystem UML has cultivated for over a decade with the aim to empower the defence industrial base.
“UML's strengths in cognitive sciences, specifically in human machine interfaces, will be a significant factor to the success of this initiative.”
In March 2024, the US ONR awarded a $13.5m contract to the Massachusetts-based Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).
This contract focuses on developing, integrating, testing, and demonstrating 'Next-Generation Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Sensors and Capabilities'.
In May this year, Beacon was contracted to enhance its Platform into a new system called Forward Logistics Expeditionary Platform (FLEX). This digital platform will be specifically designed to meet the management and sustainment requirements of forward-deployed uncrewed underwater vehicles.
