NSCT 1 Sailors Participate in Exercise Howler Aboard Stiletto
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060522-03
5/22/2006
By Photographer’s Mate Airman Damien E. Horvath, Fleet Public Affairs Center Pacific
CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- The Department of Defense vessel Stiletto took part in a weeklong operational experiment called “Exercise Howler” May 5-12.
The operation tested Stiletto’s capabilities to launch and recover Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV). The UUVs and UAVs were launched from Stiletto to search for mines in a simulated minefield.
“The operation was very successful,” said action officer Capt. Neil Parrot of the Pentagon’s Office of Force Transformation.
Sailors from Naval Special Clearance Team (NSCT) 1 provided expertise in mine clearing tactics and procedures and assisted with the launch and recovery of UUVs and UAVs.
“Exercise Howler is a very significant experiment,” said NSTC 1 Operations Officer Lt. Cmdr. Matt Tarabor. “The capabilities of Stiletto to potentially increase mine detection efficiency in hostile waterways would be a great asset to future naval affairs. Not only can Stiletto be used in mine detection, but its ability to carry special warfare craft and combatants make it particularly appealing to the special warfare community.”
Stiletto was created primarily to operate in littoral and inland waterways. Stiletto differs from traditional Navy vessels because of the use of carbon fiber materials in the boat’s construction. This innovation allows for a reduced build time, as well as a significant reduction in building costs.
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