Navy planning to test unmanned undersea vehicles in Hood Canal, off Pacific coast

Expansion of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center test range at Dabob Bay and its Quinault range off the Pacific Coast would include testing of unmanned undersea vehicles, a new warfare reconnaissance technology.

Unmanned underwater vehicles, which can be launched through submarine torpedo tubes, are becoming increasingly popular for mine detection, reconnaissance against enemy vessels and measuring waters and land to ensure safe navigation.

The Navy is accepting public comment through Oct. 27 on a draft environmental impact statement and overseas environmental statement.

The statements deal with expanding testing, research and development of new undersea systems in the Dabob Bay, Keyport and Quinault test ranges — as well as to expand the area of the ranges.

The Dabob Bay Range Complex would be expanded to include Hood Canal from a mile south of Hood Canal Bridge to the Hamma Hamma River near Lilliwaup in Mason County.

“That gives us a run of [27.5 miles] to test our unmanned underwater vehicles,” said Diane Jennings, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport public affairs officer.

“Our purpose is to test the vehicles. We are testing the Navy’s technology.”

The Quinault Underwater Tracking Range’s area would be greatly expanded in area, from about 63 square miles to about 2,438 square miles, with the range extending beyond 13 miles from shore.

Extending the inland and coastal ranges will allow the Navy to close larger portions of open waters to civilian watercraft when necessary.

“We’re well known for testing torpedoes at our Dabob tracking range,” Jennings said.

The range has existed in the bay off the tip of the Toandos Peninsula near the Coyle community in East Jefferson County since 1957.

Torpedoes tested in the bay are unarmed and without explosives.

The use of unmanned vehicles is something new, she said.

Unmanned underwater vehicles can be small enough to be held by hand or as large as a torpedo, she said. Some are in small turtle-like designs.

More in News

Oliver Pochert, left, and daughter Leina, 9, listen as Americorp volunteer and docent Hillary Sanders talks about the urchins, crabs and sea stars living in the touch tank in front of her at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Pochert, who lives in Sequim, drove to Port Townsend on Sunday to visit the aquarium because the aquarium is closing its location this month after 42 years of operation. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Aquarium closing

Oliver Pochert, left, and daughter Leina, 9, listen as Americorp volunteer and… Continue reading

Tree sale is approved for auction

Appeals filed for two Elwha watershed parcels

Port Townsend City Council to draw down funds in 2025 budget

City has ‘healthy fund reserve balance,’ finance director says

Man flown to hospital after crash investigated for DUI

A 41-year-old man was flown to Olympic Medical Center in… Continue reading

Signal controller project to impact traffic

Work crews will continue with the city of Port… Continue reading

Cities, counties approve tax hikes

State law allows annual 1 percent increase

Health officer: Respiratory illnesses low on Peninsula

Berry says cases are beginning to rise regionally

A puppy named Captain Kirk is getting ready for adoption by Welfare for Animals Guild after it was rescued near Kirk Road. An unsecured makeshift kennel fell out of a truck on U.S. Highway 101 last month and was struck by another vehicle. (Welfare for Animals Guild)
Puppy rescued from wreck to be adopted

A puppy named Captain Kirk is about to boldly go… Continue reading

Festival of Trees raises record $231,000

The 34th annual Festival of Trees, produced by the… Continue reading

Man flown to hospital after single-car collision

A 67-year-old man was flown to an Everett hospital after… Continue reading