A top secret U.S. Navy acoustic detection system designed to spot enemy submarines first heard the Titan sub implosion hours after the submersible began its mission, officials involved in the search said.

The Navy began listening for the Titan almost as soon as the sub lost communications, according to a U.S. defense official. Shortly after its disappearance, the U.S. system detected what it suspected was the sound of an implosion near the debris site discovered Thursday and reported its findings to the commander on site, U.S. defense officials said.

[Again, this would confirm that the deaths were instantaneous and connected to the loss of communications early in the Titan’s attempt to reach the Titanic. That may provide some small amount of comfort to the families. I do question the wisdom of letting this information go public, given the sensitive nature of the acoustic systems in use by the US Navy. — Ed]