Navy turns to deep-sea oil firm for help with tactical data networks

A company better known for its work on deep-sea oil rigs has won a $19.3 million contract to help the Navy develop ways to improve connectivity of tactical data networks.

Under a DARPA broad agency announcement, Oceaneering International of Hanover, Md., will develop and demonstrate new technologies for restoring connectivity using small diameter optical fiber and buoy relay nodes.

The company is best known for its work on subsea oilfields where its products and services including drilling, installation and decommissioning. It also does surface work such as inspections, survey services and video and data solutions.

But as you dig deeper into their website, the company also has this “other markets” section that includes products and services around automated guided vehicle systems, space systems, and naval and marine services.

The company supports naval vessels including submarines, the Future Naval Capability program and other areas.

I reached out to the company for comment but so far I’ve gotten no response.

According to an investor presentation, the company’s advanced technologies business, where most of its Navy work falls, accounted for 14 percent of its $2.3 billion in 2016 revenue. The company doesn’t break out its government revenue in its financial statements. Deltek pegged it at about $86.7 million in fiscal 2016, a drop from $112 million in fiscal 2015.

The DARPA contract runs through Sept. 5, 2018, and it has no options.

Five companies including Oceaneering submitted bids for the work.