Silent Swarm to Remain in Alpena for Next 10 Years
For the past two years in the summer, advanced technology has been tested and shown off in Alpena as part of Operation Silent Swarm.
It focuses mainly on communicating with unmanned systems through a variety of conditions, making Alpena a great place to test. “We call it a multi–domain environment,” said Rob Gamberg, fleet experimentation lead with the Naval Surface Warfare Center. “So, we’ll have certain technologies on land, certain on the water, some will be under the water, and we’ll also have some resources up in the air. I’m sure everyone remembers the large balloon.”
The collaboration between the NOAA and these technology experts will give another resource for students looking to enter the field. “Really they’re doing the same kinds of things we’re doing with our underwater robotics programs, our science programs, and it’s a great chance for students to see what career paths there are and connect these companies and amazing scientists with our local youth,” said Jeff Gray, superintendent of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
The international attention Silent Swarm receives is also putting more eyes on northern Michigan. “In addition to the people who are coming here learning about northeast Michigan, we’re getting great media coverage from across the country and even worldwide exposure,” said Gray. “That’s really putting Alpena and northeast Michigan on the map.”
The operation is growing each year, and the amount of technology being deployed is increasing as well. “In the first year for Silent Swarm, we had 17 technologies. Last year we had 31,” Gamberg said. “We’re about halfway through our planning process and we have over 70 technologies that are actively in the planning process this year.”
Silent Swarm is expected to take place in July for the next 10 years. Gray added that leadership from the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center played a big part in making the partnership possible.
