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DSEND Deep: ONR, NAVSEA Develop Groundbreaking Dive Suit

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A U.S. Navy diver performs salvage tasks in a test pool
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A U.S. Navy diver performs salvage tasks in a test pool
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Photo of the Deep Sea Expeditionary No-Decompression (DSEND) system
A U.S. Navy diver performs salvage tasks in a test pool at the University of Maryland, College Park. The demonstration showcased the Office of Naval Research-sponsored Deep Sea Expeditionary No-Decompression (DSEND) system, an atmospheric dive suit designed to allow users to work at greater depths, stay on the bottom longer and prevent decompression sickness. (U.S. Navy photo by Michael Walls)

For Immediate Release: Jul 01, 2026
By the Office of Naval Research

U.S. Navy divers do many jobs — including deep-sea salvage, underwater rescue and explosive ordnance recovery.

To enhance the safety and capabilities of Navy divers, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) partnered with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to develop the Deep Sea Expeditionary No-Decompression (DSEND) dive suit.

The goal is to enable divers to work deeper and for longer periods of time — and reduce the risk of decompression sickness, a potentially deadly condition where the inert gas dissolved in the blood and tissues by high pressure forms bubbles as that pressure decreases.

In addition to ONR and NAVSEA, DSEND’s development has involved partners such as Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory, Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), Naval Surface Warfare Center, Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, and Nuytco Research.

DSEND is currently undergoing testing throughout the fleet. To learn more, watch this ONR-created video or read about recent open-water testing of DSEND conducted by Navy divers at NUWC Keyport.

About the Office of Naval Research

The Department of the Navy’s Office of Naval Research provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps’ technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 55 countries, 634 institutions of higher learning and nonprofit institutions, and more than 960 industry partners. ONR, through its commands, including headquarters, ONR Global and the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., employs more than 3,800 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel.