R/V Thomas G. Thompson operated by the University of Washington now equipped with the Rhotheta RT-500-M DF.

R/V Thomas G. Thompson (AGOR-23) is a Global-class research vessel owned by the United States Office of Naval Research and operated under a bareboat charterparty agreement by the University of Washington as part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) fleet. The Navy issued bid solicitations to the shipbuilding industry for a new oceanographic ship on May 27, 1987. Halter Marine, Inc. won the contract for the construction of Thomas G. Thompson in June 1988. Her original contract price was $20.9 million. She was built in Moss Point, Mississippi. Her keel was laid down on March 29, 1989, and she was launched on July 27, 1990. Thomas G. Thompson was christened by Dr. Dora Henry, Oceanography Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington. The ship was completed and delivered to the Office of Naval Research on July 8, 1991. Thomas G. Thompson is the lead ship in her class which also includes NOAAS Ronald H. Brown (operated by NOAA), R/V Roger Revelle (operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography), and R/V Atlantis (operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution). Thomas G. Thompson is 274 feet (84 m) long, with a beam of 52.5 feet (16.0 m) and a full-load draft of 19 feet (5.8 m). The hull is of welded steel plate construction. She displaces 3,051 long tons at full load. Her gross tonnage is calculated at 3,095 and her net tonnage is 928. She is classed by the American Bureau of Shipping. Thomas G. Thompson is designed for long-endurance research missions in deep ocean waters and typically spends 260 to 300 days a year at sea. While she has sailed around the Earth on almost every sea and ocean, she has spent the bulk of her career in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. While the civilian crew is assigned to the ship permanently, the scientists rotate aboard in support of specific research programs. These have been quite varied, and include global warming, hydrothermal vents, neutrino detection, mapping ocean currents and seamounts, abyssal phytoplankton, underwater volcanic eruptions, algal blooms, and monsoons in the Indian Ocean, among many others. R/V Thomas G. Thompson has being outfitted with the Rhotheta RT-500-M radio direction finder system, an essential tool for search-and-rescue, safety, and enhanced situational awareness, featuring advanced connectivity and a proven performance record. About the Rhotheta RT-500-M The RT-500-M is an essential mission tool that enhances the operational capabilities of search-and-rescue and law enforcement organizations worldwide allowing them to efficiently track, locate and rescue personnel – or recover assets – in the harshest conditions. The RT-500-M is an advanced Doppler wideband DF designed for ship-borne platforms and capable of indicating the direction (or bearing) to an emitter or beacon transmitting on VHF-UHF frequencies in the 118 to 470 MHz range. Its operational bands include Air AM , Marine FM , UHF AM, UHF FM, and Cospas-Sarsat™ 406 MHz frequencies (channels). The RT-600-L conveniently displays signal & squelch levels, operating band & frequency, live and averaged bearing (LOB) values, beacon ID & lat-long location. The RT-500-M is compact, lightweight, and rugged, and features a short bearing-calculation time due to a high electronic rotation frequency . The RT-500-M series is relied upon by the US and Canadian Coast Guard. About Rhotheta International Rhotheta International Inc (RHI), Ft Lauderdale FL is an international distributor and factory-authorized service center for all Rhotheta RDFs. Its mission includes support for DF system integration, installation, and operation to dealers, OEMs, integrators, completion centers, and operators of search-and-rescue (SAR), air traffic control (ATC), vessel traffic service (VTS), law enforcement, and special mission operations worldwide. With a focus on competitive price-performance ratios, short lead times, fast service turnaround time, and personalized product support. RHI actively participates in programs to enhance operations and situational awareness for organizations such as USAF AUX-Civil Air Patrol, US Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard, and public safety agencies. For more information, visit https://rhothetaint.com/ and https://rhothetaint.com/airborne/