Miniature submarine in Key WestMiniature submarine visible from Sunset Pier in Key West
Joyce and I were sitting at a table on Sunset Pier one afternoon when we spotted this small submarine passing by. As you can see the small submarine is passing between Sunset Pier and Wisteria Island. Look closely it is the gray thing in the bottom center of this picture.
Miniature submarine passing between Sunset Pier and Wisteria Island in Key West
This is a little better picture of that small submarine as it passes Wisteria Island off Key West. Miniature submarine visible from Sunset Pier in Key West as the small submarine passes by Wisteria Island
The sailboat in the background is one of the many liveaboard boats that surround Wisteria Island off Key West. The small submarine is passing closer to Wisteria Island than Sunset Pier. Coast Guard boat pulling unmanned submarine past Sunset Pier in Key West
The small Coast Guard boat on the left side of this picture is towing that small submarine. You have to look closely for that small submarine located on the left side of this picture. The sailboats closer to Wisteria Island are all liveaboards. Key West is an extremely expensive place to live. Many residents of Key West live on liveaboard boats scattered all around Key West. Navy vessel following the small submarine
This Navy vessel was closely following behind that small submarine that was being towed. I suspect it was there to protect the submarine from boaters that might be trying to cross too closely behind the tow boat thus running into the submarine or the tow cable.
Back in 2009 the Navy was testing a small unmanned submarine called the Sea Maverick. While the small submarine that we were seeing is clearly not the Sea Maverick I suspect they are both prototypes of unmanned submarines being tested here in Key West. Sea Maverick unmanned submarine being tested in Key West in 2009
This is the Sea Maverick a small unmanned submarine that was tested in Key West in 2009. It is easy to see that the small submarine being towed was not the Sea Maverick. However, I suspect both small submarines were test platforms. The $5 million Sea Maverick is 4 feet in diameter and 25 feet long, but sections can be added that make it 36 feet long. The Sea Maverick is being developed by a small army of scientists at the Penn State Applied Research Laboratory. You're looking at the future of unmanned marine systems. The Sea Maverick is similar to the unmanned aerial drones already in use by the Air Force in that it lacks a human pilot or "driver." The Sea Maverick is autonomous, meaning it's being designed to operate without the need of remote controls. Many unmanned airplanes, however, require pilots on the ground to operate them remotely. Unlike its airborne counterparts, the Sea Maverick is not designed to carry weapons, researchers said. It does carry cameras, satellites and other gear.
Sea Maverick unmanned submarine being lifted by a crane in Key West in 2009
For those of you familiar with Key West you will recognize the marina as Key West Bight Marina. The building to the left side of this picture is the Turtle Kraals located on Harbor Walk around Key West Bight Marina. The Sea Maverick submarine is approximately 4 feet in diameter and can range from 25 to 36 feet long by adding or removing sections of the body depending on the mission. Although officials are tight lipped about the types of missions this submarine will be involved in, it is clear that the design will allow the vessel to operate with minimal remote interaction from shipboard operators. The design and subsequent testing is focused on insuring that the Sea Maverick has the ability to think on its own; it is not designed to carry weapons but does carry cameras, satellites and other gear that is classified at this time. Click here for more Key West travellogsUntil next time remember how good life is. More Florida AdventuresSome Key West Adventures ** More 2012 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
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