Modeling, simulation, and visualization for submarine transit security and Coast Guard contingency Preparedness

Abstract

The U.S. Navy’s Strategic Systems Program (SSP) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Maritime Force Protection Unit (MFPU) have a close working relationship, access to advanced Modeling and Simulation (M&S) tools, and a mutual interest in the safe escort of naval submarines. The USCG Contingency Preparedness and Exercises (CPE) Branch has a strong interest in maritime security, which extends to the safe navigation of vessels in U.S. territorial waters, including naval submarines. CPE rarely interacts with SSP and the MFPU; further, CPE does not have access to modern M&S tools. The goal of this thesis is to demonstrate that SSP and MFPU can greatly increase maritime security in the littoral waterways used by submarines and other naval vessels by partnering with CPE. A mixed method approach was used to provide an overview of existing maritime security roles and partnerships, and a 3D-simulation experiment was also developed to demonstrate how CPE can enhance exercises by utilizing robust 3D M&S resources. This thesis establishes that CPE can drastically improve maritime security and other missions by leveraging M&S and Visualization tools. The thesis also found that by partnering with SSP and the MFPU, CPE can accelerate maritime security improvements.