Sea Shadow 

Overview  

Sea Shadow is a test craft developed under a combined program by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), the Navy, and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space Company. The Sea Shadow program was begun in the mid-1980s. Its purpose is to explore a variety of new technologies for surface ships, including ship control, structures, automation for reduced manning, seakeeping and signature control. In 1993-1994, the craft was revealed to the public and underwent daylight testing. Since 1994, Sea Shadow has been maintained in a lay-up status and is currently homeported at Naval Station San Diego. In anticipation of conducting future ship research and development testing, the U.S. Navy reactivated the Sea Shadow craft in early 1999. Sea Shadow will support risk reduction for future surface ship platforms such as DD 21, the Navy's 21st Century Land Attack Destroyer. The platform will allow the Navy to explore and test, in a realistic at-sea environment, important DD 21 advanced information and automation technologies that support reduced manning and ship survivability.

Sources and Resources   Return to Top

• Notice of Availability for Donation of the Test Craft Ex-SEA SHADOW (IX-529) and Hughes Mining Barge (HMB-1), Federal Register, September 14. "The Department of the Navy hereby gives notice of the availability for donation, under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 7306, of the Test Craft ex-SEA SHADOW (IX 529) and the Hughes Mining Barge (HMB-1)."
• Sea Shadow reactivated for technology testing of future surface ships NAVY WIRE SERVICE (NWS18) - 18 March 1999 - The Navy has reactivated the 550-ton Sea Shadow craft to support risk reduction for future surface ship platforms such as DD-21.
• Disappearing Act, All Hands, 00 March 2001 -- A very unique looking vessel, to say the least, with its hard angles and clear resemblance to a floating version of the Air Force F-117, this ship is a genesis for the future of naval vessels
• Sea Shadow Premier Test Platform for Stealth - US Navy News Article