Global subsea engineering company James Fisher and Sons (JFD) and the US Navy have unveiled the Shadow NAV advanced combat diver navigation module.

The first Shadow NAV module has been developed by the expert technical team S3D at the US Navy’s Naval Surface Warfare Centre Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) to provide hands-free underwater navigation capability.

JFD will be responsible for making the capability widely available to divers operating across the globe.

Equipped with a diver’s standard half mask, the new navigation system offers a clear visual display of a combat diver’s compass heading, depth and time even in near-zero visibility environments.

“The expert technical team S3D at the NSWC PCD worked to develop a small, low-cost, low-power enhanced navigation capability to significantly improve safety standards for military divers.”

The mask-mounted head-up display provides combat divers with an unrestricted and continual visibility of accurate information in poor visibility conditions.

With the use of the system, divers might not be required to carry a handheld or tactical swim board, which to date has created serious limitations to potentially dangerous underwater military combat operations.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

JFD products and support director Danny Gray said: “Traditional kit such as the compass and depth gauges not only increases the amount of equipment required, but, more critically, they are of little, or no use in water with very limited visibility, even with auxiliary illumination. This puts the diver at too great a risk of injury or even fatality.

“To address these challenges for potentially dangerous underwater combat missions, the expert technical team S3D at the NSWC PCD worked to develop a small, low-cost, low-power enhanced navigation capability to significantly improve safety standards for military divers and give them the best possible chance of successfully completing their missions.”