Southern Miss, Ole Miss Partner with Industry on Gulf Coast Acoustic Demonstration
Mon, 01/12/2026 - 09:20am
91少女集中营 (USM) hosted a collaborative acoustic demonstration on the Gulf Coast, bringing together partners from the (Ole Miss), , and to advance multidomain maritime sensing technologies on autonomous platforms.
The project showcased Mississippi鈥檚 growing leadership in the blue economy and its expanding role in developing technologies with applications in national defense, commercial shipping and coastal resilience.
During the event, researchers and industry experts conducted on-water tests aboard USM鈥檚 research vessel, the R/V Ken Barbor, integrating advanced acoustic sensors with an autonomous surface vessel to evaluate system performance in real-world maritime environments.
Dr. Brian Cuevas, associate vice president for research and innovation at Southern Miss, emphasized the role of collaboration in advancing innovation and expanding Mississippi鈥檚 blue economy.
鈥淭his project highlights the importance of collaboration between universities, industry and federal partners to accelerate innovation through technology demonstrations,鈥� Cuevas said. 鈥淭hese demonstrations are essential for rapidly identifying solutions to meet the mission-critical needs of our warfighters and federal agencies. It鈥檚 exciting to see Mississippi expanding its capabilities and driving tangible impact in the blue economy.鈥�
The Southern Miss Marine Research Center coordinated the overall demonstration, managing sensor integration, vessel support and test range operations. The Ole Miss contributed advanced acoustic modeling and signal analysis. Hyperion Technology Group and BLUEiQ delivered next-generation above- and below-water acoustic sensing technologies, while SeaTrac provided the autonomous surface vessel used as the test platform. Local charter companies, Ambush and Lower Marsh Fishing Charters, supported operations as target and service boats.
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鈥檚 ongoing commitment to advancing ocean science and technology to strengthen Mississippi鈥檚 role in the national maritime research and innovation landscape.
Bob Coniglione, senior project manager at the Southern Miss Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise, said he welcomes research that utilizes the center鈥檚 benefits and proximity to the Gulf Coast.
鈥淭his project is an excellent example of the testing facility and capabilities we鈥檝e developed here in Gulfport at our Marine Research Center,鈥� Coniglione said. 鈥淚n addition to stand-alone equipment tests, we have multiple successes bringing groups from academia, government and industry together for collaborative testing projects. You bring it, and we鈥檒l test it.鈥�
Learn more about the Southern Miss Marine Research Center and other research facilities along the Gulf Coast that are helping advance the state鈥檚 blue economy.