Southern Miss & Ole Miss Partner with SeaTrac on Gulf Coast Acoustic Demo
In early 2026, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) hosted a collaborative acoustic demonstration on the Gulf Coast, bringing together partners from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), SeaTrac, Hyperion Technology Group and BLUEiQ to advance multidomain maritime sensing technologies on uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).
- Year: 2026
- Operational Area: U.S. Gulf Coast
- Scope: A Collaborative Acoustic Demonstration
Purpose
In early 2026, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) hosted a collaborative acoustic demonstration on the Gulf Coast, bringing together partners from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), SeaTrac, Hyperion Technology Group and BLUEiQ to advance multidomain maritime sensing technologies on uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).
Method + Equipment
The team integrated SeaTrac's SP-48 USV with Hyperion Technology Group and BLUEiQ's advanced above- and below-water acoustic sensing technologies. Researchers and industry experts conducted the on-water tests from USM’s research vessel, the R/V Ken Barbor, which worked alongside SeaTrac's USV to evaluate system performance in real-world maritime environments.
The Southern Miss Marine Research Center coordinated the overall demonstration, managing sensor integration, vessel support and test range operations. The Ole Miss National Center for Physical Acoustics contributed advanced acoustic modeling and signal analysis. Hyperion Technology Group and BLUEiQ delivered next-generation acoustic sensing technologies, while SeaTrac provided the uncrewed surface vessel used as the test platform. Local charter companies, Ambush and Lower Marsh Fishing Charters, supported operations as target and service boats.
Results
By merging acoustic and autonomous systems, the partners are developing solutions to improve maritime domain awareness, undersea mapping, environmental monitoring and coastal resilience.
Dr. Nathan Murray, director of the National Center for Physical Acoustics at Ole Miss, said the partnership represented a strong symbol of institutional collaboration to advance research within the state.
"This collaboration demonstrates the strength of Mississippi's innovation ecosystem," Murray said. "Working together across institutions and with private industry, we are able to move research from concept to application more quickly."
The demonstration reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to advancing ocean science and technology to strengthen Mississippi’s role in the national maritime research and innovation landscape.
