Subsurface Communications and Navigation Network

Located in the city of Plymouth and the waters in and around Plymouth Sound, the Smart Sound Connect Subsurface (SSCS) project will build on existing Smart Sound Plymouth infrastructure that underpins the National Centre for Coastal Autonomy, to further enhance the UK's position as a leader in the development and application of marine and maritime technologies, knowledge and skills. This procurement seeks to award a contract to partner with the University of Plymouth to install, operate and manage an underwater acoustic communications and navigation network that will link to existing surface assets to create the first truly multi-domain connected offshore environment in the UK. Successful fulfilment of this contract will create a unique proving ground for businesses and researchers to test, trial, prototype and commercialise new products and services; accelerating the adoption and deployment of advanced marine and maritime technologies across multiple sectors including: offshore energy, aquaculture, defence, and advanced engineering.