Pacific Deep Electromagnetic Research Measurement Array (PACDERMA) Infrastructure Installation
The United States (U.S.) Department of the Navy (Navy), Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) is planning to improve underwater electromagnetic measurement capability within the Pacific Ocean. A system is needed in the Pacific Ocean to characterize the electromagnetic environment and the effectiveness of electromagnetic field management techniques. Certain present and future classes of Naval vessels require periodic electromagnetic measurements to ensure they meet strict performance requirements over their entire lifecycle. The Proposed Action is necessary to establish mission-capable readiness for Pacific-based vessels.
The Proposed Action is to construct the Pacific Deep Electromagnetic Research Measurement Array (PACDERMA), an underwater electromagnetic measurement system to characterize electromagnetic fields generated by oceanographic processes and Naval vessels. This system would be installed at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, and its adjacent offshore waters in the Pacific Ocean. The system includes electromagnetic sensors and beacons placed on or tethered to the seafloor, connected by cables and junction boxes. The array (cables, beacons, and sensors) would be installed at a depth sufficient for the safe measurement of Naval vessels in this specific ocean environment. The system would connect to shore infrastructure via a shore landing cable passed through an underground conduit installed via horizontal directional drilling (HDD). Shoreside construction and HDD would be completed during 2026, and the installation of the array and at-sea cables would occur in 2027.
The U.S. Navy invites you to participate in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for the PACDERMA Environmental Assessment (EA) during the public comment period. The current Draft EA can be located via the menu on the left side of this web page. The Public Comment button will be activated during the comment period.