Shallow Water Communications for Mine Warfare Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Topic No.: N161-027 Topic Title: Shallow Water Communications for Mine Warfare Proposal No.: N161-027-0390 Firm: Arete Associates P.O. Box 2607 Winnetka, California 91396 Contact: Steven Floyd Phone: (571) 255-4062 Web Site: http://www.arete.com Abstract: The ability to communicate reliably and covertly from forward deployed subsea platforms or emplaced sensor systems while operating in anti-access, hostile field environments is a primary objective of several Navy programs. Aret� Associates and Engenium Technologies Corporation (ETC) have partnered for several years to develop the Expendable Data EXfiltration (EDEX) family of devices which can serve multiple roles in both primary and secondary fleet communications schemes. In response to challenges put forth in SBIR solicitation N161-027 ("Shallow Water Communications for Mine Warfare"), Aret� Associates will team with ETC to submit a proposal entitled "Near Surface Tethered Data Exfiltration: NST-DEX" that solves the stated design challenges. This proposal recommends doing research and development to modify EDEX technology to create a tethered, minimal surface presence communications unit which interfaces directly to emplaced mines. This variant will enable a two-way communications gateway through the air/sea interface and return communications back to the mine platform. The development of this new modality will expand the possible CONOP scenarios beyond the limitations of the current EDEX devices. Benefits: The primary, and presumably initial, customer for the NST-DEX developed in this SBIR program is the U.S. Navy. The military market for the NST-DEX in the U.S. Navy submarine fleet is evident by the need for this and other solicitations, and the increasing number of programs which require data-streams that cannot rely on acoustic communications. The successful development of NST-DEX through the Phase II effort will produce prototypes of a low-cost, persistent, covert, air/sea communications gateway for mines and other undersea platforms, as well as expanding the growing capabilities of the EDEX family of devices. Return