NSWC developing new rebreather for navy divers
The US Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) has developed a new prototype system, the MK29 Mixed Gas Rebreather, to support the navy’s diving community.
The technology will enhance the capabilities of navy divers and accelerate deployments for missions including underwater rescues, explosive ordnance disposal, ship hull maintenance, recovery of sunken equipment and salvage of vessels and aircraft.
Currently, the navy’s divers breathe a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen while on underwater missions but the nitrogen becomes toxic below 150ft. The new system solves this problem, by filtering used oxygen-helium through a carbon dioxide scrubber, which removes carbon dioxide and recycles the breathable gasses back to the diver.
Test results suggest this system can not only help divers perform more dives, but also stay underwater longer if surface supply gas is interrupted.
The MK29 also reduces breathing noise and fogging of helmet viewports. It also features 3D-printed titanium tubing that connects hoses from the helmet’s breathing manifold to the regulator backpack. That titanium reduces the risk of breathing hoses being sliced by sharp or jagged underwater objects.
Further research on the product will be carried out later in 2018.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Kongsberg contracted for Dutch and Belgian frigate propellers and drive shafts
In July 2023, Damen and Thales signed contracts to design, build and deliver four new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates for Belgium and the Netherlands.
-
Leonardo fires up small calibre naval gun development as Italy nears first Lionfish X-Gun handover
Alongside progress on its Lionfish contracts, Leonardo emphasised its shift in focus from traditional larger calibre systems toward smaller calibre solutions, epitomised by the X-Gun’s inception in 2017.
-
SEA to trial sonar software for UK Royal Navy
The UK Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare Spearhead programme, run by the service’s Develop Directorate, has been investigating future and existing technologies with a particular focus on the USV arena.
-
Australia’s new frigate options: No easy choices as pressure mounts on DoD
A new class of General Purpose ‘Tier 2’ frigate will replace the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) Anzac-class frigates, but the selected design options appear to have major issues in terms of compatibility and availability for the future fleet.