NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla., Nov. 21, 2017 — The Navy has
deployed unmanned underwater vehicles to join in the search for the Argentine
navy submarine A.R.A. San Juan, which is missing in South Atlantic waters.
The equipment consists of one Bluefin-12D (Deep) UUV and
three Iver 580 UUVs, which are operated by the Navy's recently established
Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Squadron 1, based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The UUVs are uniquely capable to help in the search. Both
types are capable of deploying quickly and searching wide areas of the ocean
using side scan sonar, a system that is used to efficiently create an image of
large areas of the sea floor. The Bluefin-12D is capable of conducting search
operations at 3 knots [3.5 mph] at a maximum depth of almost 5,000 feet for 30
hours, while the Iver 580s can operate at a depth of 325 feet, traveling at 2.5
knots [2.8 mph] for up to 14 hours.
The U.S. is providing rapid response capabilities, including
aircraft, equipment and personnel to assist Argentina in its search for the
missing submarine.
In addition to the UUVs, the U.S. has deployed aircraft to
assist in the search, as well as underwater equipment specifically designed for
submarine search and rescue.
One Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft is already in Argentina,
where it joined a NASA P-3 research aircraft supporting the ongoing search
efforts over the submarine's last known location.
U.S. Southern Command directed the deployment of this
equipment and personnel to Argentina to support the country's request for
international assistance aimed at locating the missing submarine and crew.
Southcom is one of the nation's six geographically-focused
unified commands, with responsibility for U.S. military operations in the
Caribbean and Central and South America.
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