N092-140 TITLE: Visual Signature Reduction Technology

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: NAVSEA 073 and PMS 397 and PMS 392

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this SBIR is to develop a technology that will improve submerged maritime vehicle stealth/ signature at tactical depths while on the surface or near surface and in the littoral waters.

DESCRIPTION: Undersea vehicles, such as submarines, are vulnerable to detection when near the surface in littoral waters and can potentially be detected by sensing an anomaly in the reflected signature from a blue/green laser or the human eye. The technology must diminish visibility at shallow depths through the use of a new hull coatings, a system surrounding the hull providing a capability that reduces visual signature or other means that would allow such submerged maritime vehicles to be undetectable from the surface, air or space domains in an any maritime environment at shallow depth and speed.. Current state of the art is limited to camouflage paint schemes that are inadequate for projected visual systems.

PHASE I: Develop a technology concepts and identify the high risk technical challenges, providing evidence of the ability to meet them. Develop an initial plan for the development of the required capability including cost, schedule, and required support. Provide supporting scientific evidence and supporting methodologies to meet the objectives and parameters in support of phase II research efforts.

PHASE II: Demonstrate the underlying technology in a laboratory setting. Fabricate a small scale prototype (possibly a small UUV) device/material and test in a variety of conditions. Identify environmental factor affecting applications to platforms. Develop standardized methods and processes for repeatable cost effective platform application. Finalize the concept design and make recommendations for Phase III production-oriented designs. Identify production issues (e.g. Material Safety, environmental concerns). Refine the plan for development of the required capability provided in Phase I.

PHASE III: Produce and conduct testing of close-to-production model in an at-sea environment. Identify variables in production and installation processes that may affect performance. Demonstrate a repeatable production process. Transition the technology and capability to the assigned acquisition program office.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Additional military applications for ARMY, COAST GUARD, MARINES, and AIR FORCE vessels/vehicles. Homeland Security applications where stealth is required.

Border Patrol, Police and private security forces benefit from additional stealth and camouflage.

REFERENCES:
1. Photochromism, G. H. Brown (Ed.), Wiley-Intersciences, New York (1971).

2. H. G. Heller. In Photochromics for the Future Electronic Materials, L. S. Miller and J. B. Mullin (Eds.), Plenum, New York (1991).

3. A. Samat and V. Lokshin. "Thermochromism of Organic Compounds" in Organic Photochromic and Thermochromic Compounds, J. C Crano and R. J. Guglielmetti (Eds.), Vol. 2, Ch. 10, Plenum, New York (1999).

4. (a) Feringa, B.L. (ed.) Molecular Switches, Wiley-VCH, Darmstadt, 2001. (b) Photochromism: Memories and Switches, guest editor Irie, M. Chem. Rev. 2000, 100, 1683-1890. (c) Willner, I; Rubin, S. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1996, 35, 367 (d) Horspool, W.M. (ed.), CRC Handbook of Organic Photochemistry and Photobiology, CRC press, Boca Raton, 1995. (e) Dürr, H.; Bouas-Laurent, H. (eds.) Photochromism, Molecules and Systems in Studies in Organic Chemistry 40, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1990.

5. P. M. S. Monk, R. J. Mortimer, D. R. Rosseinsky. Electrochromism: Fundamentals and Applications, VCH, Weinheim (1995).

KEYWORDS: Stealth; Cloaking; Visual Signature Reduction; Visual Spectrum; Wavelength; submersibles

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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