Fishing Net Entanglement Avoidance Navy SBIR FY2010.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.2 Topic No.: N102-155 Topic Title: Fishing Net Entanglement Avoidance Proposal No.: N102-155-0492 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation Information Technologies Division 20600 Gramercy Place, Bldg. 100 Torrance, California 90501-1821 Contact: Kang-Bin Chua Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: www.poc.com Abstract: To address the Navy's antisubmarine warfare (ASW) need for a solution that can prevent/mitigate twin-lined array (TL-29A) damage from fishing net entanglement, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Fishing Net Entanglement Avoidance (FiNEA) system. FiNEA is based on an innovative design that utilizes custom and commercial components to detect fishing nets and autonomously perform the necessary maneuvering of the towed array to avoid contact between the towed array and fishing net, thus eliminating the possibility of fishing net entanglement. FiNEA can be easily integrated into SURTASS without requiring any modification and does not interfere with the SURTASS performance. In Phase I, POC will construct a CAD model and functioning prototype to show the feasibility of FiNEA. POC will analyze the research and development required to implement FiNEA, and identify how it addresses the Navy's current towed array system and system requirements. In Phase II, POC plans to implement the Phase I design in an Engineering Development Model (EDM) and test it in sea. The test results will be incorporated into a full system design, and an improved fully functional prototype will be constructed to demonstrate that it has incorporated the test results. Benefits: The FiNEA technology can be applied to any maritime market in which detailed information about underwater conditions is relevant. This also includes the seismic oil exploration industry. The technology can be easily integrated into exploration vessels, rescue and salvage vessels, and underwater construction efforts. Military applications of the FiNEA will include its incorporation into production of more reliable and efficient acoustic towed sensor arrays for naval vessels in the ASW effort. The Navy can also incorporate FiNEA into their fleet, greatly improving operational awareness and measured acoustic information value. Other military applications include using autonomous underwater vehicles to tow arrays for ASW and surveillance. Return