Navy

Why the Navy Is Turning to the Humble Hagfish to Stop Hostile Boats

The U.S. Navy's Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division is developing a means to stop boats based on the slime created by hagfish and the silk spun by spiders weaving webs. A synthetic version of both substances could be used to stop a small boat’s propellers from rotating, stalling the vessel, and bringing it to a halt—all without opening fire.

The U.S. Navy trains to operate across a spectrum of conflict, from anti-piracy operations to all-out war. In many situations it is desirable to stop a vessel and detain the crew, ideally without destroying the ship or causing casualties. Unfortunately, most warships only carry kinetic weapons, including machine guns and small caliber cannons, weapons that can punch clean through small boats, sending shrapnel flying and causing fires.

One way to stop a vessel is to stop the propulsion system, specifically to foul the propellers. NSWC Panama City’s goal is to develop a nonlethal way to stop ships using a synthetic version of the slime secreted by hagfish or spider silk.