Dolphins have long attracted attention due to their incredible intellectuality. They are often represented by friendly, playful and curious inhabitants of the oceans, but behind this image an animal with outstanding ability to teach, simulate, self-awareness, and solve complex tasks is hidden. These qualities make dolphins an important element of military programs, including the protection of bases of atomic submarines.
The USA uses dolphins at King’s Bay naval bases in Georgia and Kitsap near Seattle to protect a significant part of its nuclear arsenal. The program for studying their capabilities began back in 1959 when the US Navy conducted tests not only with dolphins but also with sea lions, turtles, sharks, and other marine animals. However, only some of them, such as Afalins and California Sea Lions, demonstrated sufficient learning and usefulness for military purposes.
By the 1980s, as part of the US Navy Marine Mammal Program (NMMP), more than 100 dolphins were kept with a budget of $8 million. Animals learned to find mines, deliver messages, and detect underwater saboteurs. Sea lions were taught to extract mines from the bottom, and Belukhi patrolled the waters in search of threats. During the years of the Vietnam War, dolphins conducted underwater surveillance in the Kamrani Gulf, and in 2003 participated in the clearance of the port UMM-Casr in Iraq.
The key to the success of dolphins in military operations is their echolocation. Using sound waves, animals