Commander Undersea Surveillance

• Origins in the Cold War: Commander Undersea Surveillance (CUS) traces its roots to the Cold War era, when the U.S. Navy established extensive undersea surveillance networks to track Soviet submarines. • SOSUS Network: CUS is most famous for operating the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS), a network of undersea hydrophone arrays that spanned the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. • “IUSS” Heritage: CUS evolved from the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS), which coordinated various fixed and mobile surveillance assets. • Guantanamo Bay’s Secret Role: One of the first operational SOSUS sites was at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which played a crucial role in monitoring submarine activity. • Unmasking Soviet Submarines: SOSUS, under CUS control, was instrumental in tracking Soviet nuclear and diesel submarines, including the detection of the first Soviet Yankee-class ballistic missile submarine deployment. • “The Bloop” Mystery: In 1997, CUS systems detected the mysterious underwater sound known as “The Bloop,” later determined to be natural in origin, but for years sparked speculation about unknown sea creatures. • Transition to Multi-Mission: After the Cold War, CUS transitioned from focusing solely on anti-submarine warfare to supporting scientific research, counter-narcotics, and disaster response. • Global Coverage: CUS units operate globally, with sites in the U.S., United Kingdom, Iceland, and other strategic locations. • Silent Service Partnership: CUS works closely with the U.S. Navy’s submarine force, providing crucial intelligence for submarine operations and strategic deterrence. • Innovative Technology: CUS has continually upgraded its systems, incorporating digital signal processing, automated detection, and even environmental monitoring capabilities.