Maritime Expeditionary Response Crawler

The Department of Defense, specifically the Navy, is seeking proposals for the development of a Maritime Expeditionary Response Crawler, an expeditionary-sized bottom crawler system designed to detect, acquire, and neutralize underwater threats. The system must operate in water depths exceeding 600 meters, transit on the ocean surface for at least two nautical miles, and autonomously submerge to the seabed, all while weighing no more than 150 lbs. The crawler should integrate various specialized payloads, including disruptors and diagnostic sensors, and maintain operational stability in diverse seabed conditions. This initiative is critical for enhancing naval mine clearance capabilities and ensuring the safety of maritime operations. Interested parties can find more details and submit proposals through the official SBIR website, with the application due by February 5, 2025, following the opening date of January 8, 2025.