Precision High Alitude Sonobuoy Emplacement (PHASE) Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Topic No.: N08-023 Topic Title: Precision High Alitude Sonobuoy Emplacement (PHASE) Proposal No.: N081-023-0911 Firm: Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation 65 West Street Road Building C Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 Contact: Carl Calianno Phone: (215) 675-4900 Web Site: www.navmar.com Abstract: This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I study deals with the development of a precision sonobuoy emplacement technique that employs a reefed parachute to reduce air-launched sonobuoy time spent aloft and exposed to the effects of wind on placement accuracy . This effort will include a wind-tunnel testing to assess the fluid dynamic requirements that will determine parachute shape, design and reefing parameters. The system will use a barometric sensor that will trigger activation of the reefing system at a pre-determined low altitude, thus allowing the sonobuoy to free-fall from high altitude (20k-30k feet), minimizing unwanted position variation caused by wind-induced drift. Additionally, the study will explore techniques for computing accurate real-time on station wind vector information that will be used by the aircraft operational program to automatically compute the best sonobuoy release point to achieve the greatest sonobuoy positional accuracy. Benefits: The proposed research will provide the US Navy with a vastly improved method for accurately positioning sonobuoys deployed from high altitudes, using affordable modifications to the parachute assembly. Accuracy will be enhanced further by development of an innovative, on station wind vector derivation technique. The increased stealth of ASW targets, and the challenging acoustic environment in which they operate, makes clear the need to position acoustic sensors in precise locations relative to target position, if successful detection and subsequent prosecution is to be achieved by air ASW combat crews. This approach provides a low-risk, cost-effective solution that can be expeditiously delivered to the fleet and operational in a relatively short time. Return