VLF Signals of Opportunity as a Covert Alternative Fix Source for Submarines While Submerged
Navy SBIR FY2014.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2014.1
Topic No.: N141-081
Topic Title: VLF Signals of Opportunity as a Covert Alternative Fix Source for Submarines While Submerged
Proposal No.: N141-081-0884
Firm: Expedition Technology, Inc.
1551 Coomber Court
Herndon, Virginia 20170
Contact: Marc Harlacher
Phone: (703) 955-3660
Web Site: www.exptechinc.com
Abstract: Our proposed research postulates that VLF signals of opportunity (SoOps), both natural and man-made, can be employed by submarines while operating at speed and depth to accurately estimate position and velocity as required by their hosted weapons systems (e.g. Trident II D5 missile). Further, we postulate that the VLF reception equipment already carried on board all US submarines is sufficient to receive these SoOps. Two development gaps must be crossed in order to demonstrate such a capability. First, a VLF SoOp navigation receiver must be installed on the submarine and integrated with the various systems that can take advantage of it. Second, a reference network must be created that characterizes the SoOps and transmits their truth (time and position of SoOp waveform features) to submerged users of the system. The purpose of this research is to assess the feasibility that these two gaps can be crossed.
Benefits: This research will prove the feasibility of obtaining an absolute position and velocity estimate of a submarine while it is submerged, preserving covert operations of the submarine. Commercial applications apply to all classes of submarines, include ballistic missile, fast attack, research and autonomous vehicles.

Return