The Navy warns that America’s ballistic‑missile submarines, virtually untouchable when submerged, become vulnerable to drones, mines and even handheld anti‑tank rockets when berthed or transiting on the surface. A Ukrainian claim that an underwater drone damaged a Russian submarine in Novorossiysk last year underscores the emerging risk, while guerrilla groups could employ ATGMs or RPGs to ambush a sub in shallow waters.
In response, the service issued a Sources Sought notice for prototype systems that can detect, track, identify, deny and defeat unmanned threats across all domains. The solicitation calls for scalable solutions for shore‑based installations and afloat operations in ports, harbors, littoral zones, waterways and open ocean environments, aiming to bolster security for both the submarines and the shore facilities that support them.
The Navy also seeks technologies to escort SSBNs safely during port transits, improve maritime situational awareness, and counter direct‑fire kinetic threats such as shore‑launched ATGMs and RPGs. Additionally, active protection systems—sensor arrays paired with shotgun‑style launchers—are being explored to shield ground convoys carrying ICBMs from anti‑tank rockets.
