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If you have recently spent time on the waters of the Cooper River, Wando River, Ashley River, offshore or in the Charleston Harbor, you might have spotted some unfamiliar technology. From small, yellow-and-white flashing buoys to sleek, self-driving boats navigating the waves, the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic is actively conducting state-of-the-art maritime research right here in our local waters.
This page serves as a guide to help community members, local boaters, and commercial mariners understand what these assets are, what they do, and how they keep both our nation secure and our local marine environments healthy.
You may spot several small, yellow-and-white buoys floating in key transit areas around the harbor and surrounding rivers. These buoys measure approximately 2 feet in diameter and rise about 3 feet above the waterline. For safety and visibility, they are equipped with a yellow flashing light that operates continuously.
These buoys are part of a prototyping initiative at NIWC Atlantic known as TIDE (Tactical Integrated Data Ecosystem). TIDE is a modular, reconfigurable network of sensors designed to provide alternative forms of maritime battlespace awareness. By deploying these buoys, our engineers test decentralized "mesh networks" that allow sensors and radio equipment to securely share critical data in real time, even without traditional satellite communication or cell towers.
Dual-Use Technology for Defense & Environment
Our maritime research isn't just for national defense. Through a landmark partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), these buoys serve a dual purpose. While Navy engineers test advanced data pipelines, SCDNR researchers leverage the TIDE platform's acoustic receivers to track the migration and health of local marine species, such as the red drum fish.
In addition to stationary buoys, NIWC Atlantic frequently tests Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs)—essentially self-driving boats—in and around Charleston Harbor and offshore.
Developed by NIWC Atlantic's Unmanned Naval Innovation Team (UNIT), this remarkable solar-powered autonomous vessel made history by launching from Sullivan's Island and completing a record-breaking, 4,000-mile transatlantic crossing to Portugal in just over two months to participate in major NATO exercises.
These maneuverable, high-tech crafts are routinely deployed during exercises to test secure, high-bandwidth communication links and coordinate operations between autonomous vessels and aircraft.
Developed to test collaborative swarm intelligence, this technology relies on a specialized autonomy stack that allows a single operator to command multiple vessels simultaneously. NIWC Atlantic evaluated several prototypes of Havoc's 14-foot Rampage craft during recent exercises.
Safety is NIWC Atlantic’s top priority. If you encounter our buoys or USVs on the water, please keep the following guidelines in mind:
Please do not closely approach, board, or tie your vessel to any research buoys or unmanned surface vessels. Keep a safe distance of at least 100 yards from any operating USV.
When transiting through active testing areas, please maintain a vigilant lookout and proceed at safe speeds.
Explore these official Navy and media resources to see our maritime assets in action, read about our historic achievements, and learn more about our local partnerships:
Read about the joint military-civilian effort to track red drum fish and test distributed sensing:
Discover how a solar-powered boat designed in Charleston smashed transatlantic speed records:
Read about how autonomous crafts and warfare centers teamed up off Sullivan's Island to advance hybrid fleet capabilities: