USNS Henson (T-ASG-63)

History

USNS Henson is an oceanographic survey vessel of the United States Navy that collects data for geophysical, biological, physical and acoustic surveys. Because of the long range, the U.S. military needs information about all marine environments around the world to support military, maritime and humanitarian missions as needed.

Due to the mobile structure of Military Sealift Command, Hansen and her Pathfinder-class sisters do not have a homeport. Essentially, their "home" is where the mission is.

The purpose of the

Hansen is to provide and transport a wealth of sophisticated scientific equipment for the 27 scientists on board who are working to collect data relevant to their field of study. The data collected ranges from the surface to the depth to the seafloor. The ship can study the atmosphere while mapping every coastline. Henson collects, archives and transmits collected data to shore-based MSCs via radio or satellite communications equipment.

The data collected helps the Navy plan current and future underwater operations, survey the seabed and locate lost aircraft and ships past and present.

The structure of the vessel is designed to support a large number of instruments attached below the waterline. The hull has a multi-girder shape to support equipment and provide good seakeeping qualities.

Marine survey vessels like the Henson have greatly increased the military's understanding of the marine environment.

Henson is named after Matthew Henson, a member of Robert Peary's Arctic expedition in 1909. USNS Henson itself is operated and crewed by Horizon Lines, although mission orders come from Military Sealift Command. When Pathfinder-class members are dispatched to waters where hostilities are likely to occur, the U.S.

Navy proactively dispatches protection forces to escort them.

A list of some of the scientific equipment on board is as follows:

The Multi-Beam Sonar System (SIMRAD EM121A) is a 121-beam bathymetric sonar system for real-time mapping of water bodies from 10 to 11,000 meters.

Seismic systems are used as depth penetration tools, which are towed arrays that map geological topography.

The shallow water echo sounder system (ODEC BATHY-2000) provides a single beam with depths up to 12,000 meters.

The Sub Bottom Profiler (ODEC BATHY-2000) is capable of determining subsea structures up to 10,000 meters deep.

Acoustic Doppler (RD VM-0150) analysis of current velocity, depth and direction down to 380 m depth.

The extensible sensor subsystem searches for other sonars for support corrections.

The speed of sound profile (XSV) is useful for studying the speed of a sonar system through the water column.

Magnetometer (E#GG811/613) uses magnets to map Earth's magnetic field at 7,000 meters.

The water sampler subsystem operates the water sampler at a depth of 7,000 meters.

The Bottom Transponder Navigation System is a 50 kHz real-time navigation system designed to help ships determine their position.

On January 20, 2010, USNS Henson was dispatched to Haiti to survey ports and coastal waterways and map underwater obstacles caused by major earthquakes. To accomplish her mission, she uses several types of onboard sonar systems.

Specification

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Performance

ARMAMENT

AIR WING