Acoustic Counter Detection Tactical Decision Aid Navy STTR FY2014.A Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2014.A Topic No.: N14A-T016 Topic Title: Acoustic Counter Detection Tactical Decision Aid Proposal No.: N14A-016-0335 Firm: Kern Technology Group, LLC 620 Village Dr. Suite C Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454-4276 Contact: Matthew Phaneuf Phone: (757) 816-9526 Web Site: www.ktg-llc.com Abstract: In order to maintain acoustic advantage, submarine crews need to assess acoustic vulnerability for historical and planned tracks and own ship noisy evolutions. A TDA or TDAs that produce acoustic advantage and vulnerability overlays for the geographic plot are essential to this. Our Phase I effort will develop a MATLAB-based TDA tool engine that when provided with the required inputs (own ship, environment, adversary) outputs acoustic vulnerability as a probability density function including an estimate of uncertainty. To ensure the TDA or TDAs are best suited to the actual tasks users are trying to accomplish, the Kern Technology Group (KTG) team will apply Human Factors and Human Systems Integration (HSI) principles in their development. The Acoustic Vulnerability TDA proposed by the KTG team will provide an effective and intuitive interface between operators and the information necessary for decision making and task execution; KTG's approach reduces information acquisition costs and improves decision quality in support of the "jobs to be done" in a given situation context. The target transition path is via the Submarine Advanced Processor Build (APB) process, executed by PEO IWS5A. The targeted build for transitioning the Acoustic Counter Detection TDA is APB-17. Benefits: The target transition path is via the Submarine APB process, executed by PEO IWS5A. APB software builds are hosted by hardware provided by the Technology Insertion (TI) process. The combination of TI hardware deliveries carefully synchronized with APBs yields a stable and continuous evolution of submarine SONAR, imaging, and combat system improvements. There are three program offices that integrate APB capabilities onto the platform, PMS 401, 425, and 435. a. Major Program Objectives. The TI/APB process has proved to be very responsive to the Fleet's need for new capability. The process is underpinned by an annual review of Fleet-driven requirements which are defined and prioritized by the Submarine Tactical Requirements Group (STRG) and approved by the Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Submarine Force Commanders. The Undersea Warfare Resource Sponsor (OPNAV N97) provides funding and requirements for those capabilities to be developed by NAVSEA. Additionally, every two years, the STRG generates a prioritized list of Fleet requirements for APBs, which is similarly reviewed and approved by the Submarine Type Commanders and tasked to PEO SUBS and PEO IWS by OPNAV N97. As a result, the TI/APB requirements reflect both the feedback from Fleet units/operators that have most recently carried out missions on their deployments and the "best of breed" technology options that are available to address those needs. This process reoccurs biennially in order to ensure submarine combat system development efforts are focused on the most pressing Fleet needs in order to better support the Joint Force mission. b. Current Phase of the Acquisition Life Cycle. The APB process occurs on a two year cycle, phased to coincide with the AN/BYG-1, AN/BQQ-10 and AN/BVY-1 systems development. The submarine modernization objective is to provide platforms a new TI/APB approximately every four years. c. Projected IOC. Advanced Processor Builds (APB-xx) are delivered every other year. The targeted build for transitioning the Acoustic Counter Detection TDA is APB-17. APB-17 will be installed as a production build in 2018. In addition to the need highlighted by the STTR sponsor, the submarine force has consistently asked for tools to support improved decision making. These requests for assistance from the S&T community resulted in the CMP FY10-01 Information Architecture for Improved Decision Making program which had developed and is transitioning the Submarine Mission Planning Application in APB-13 with a likely second transition in APB-15. However, the need for improved decision making continues. In April 2012, RDML Wears approved the Undersea Warfare Science and Technology Objectives which includes the following objective: Science and Technology Objective (STO) -38: "Improved availability, reliability, quality, and usefulness of critical information needed by the tactical team to make better-informed decisions in the time available, including mission planning." Return