N092-145 TITLE: Algorithms for Detection of Near Surface Objects Using Acoustic Synthetic Aperture Sensors

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Ground/Sea Vehicles, Sensors, Battlespace

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Surface Mine Counter Measures Unmanned Undersea Vehicles Program, ACAT IV

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to develop new algorithms to detect objects at or near the surface of the water using existing sidelook sonar system. For Navy applications, these objects may include mines at or near the sea surface and moored mines near the surface, detected using existing acoustic synthetic aperture sonars on unmanned undersea vehicles. These new algorithms will enable the ability to search environments that are too turbulent or muddy for existing optical systems. For commercial applications, objects may include fish schools and marine mammals for research, salvage operations, and disaster clean-up.

DESCRIPTION: Objects near the surface are a hazard to commercial shipping, as well as to Navy ships. The ability to detect these objects in harsh environments, where optical systems do not work well, would increase the ability for safe navigation.

Mines at or near the sea surface, within the draft of surface ships, are hunted using surface or airborne systems. In the future, the very high search rate airborne optical system will be the primary near-surface mine hunting system. However, in shallow coastal areas, in the plumes of river outflows and in harbors, water clarity is significantly decreased, preventing light from penetrating and imposing limits on electro-optical imaging system capabilities. This limitation could be addressed to some extent by an acoustic system operating within the water column. An unmanned acoustic system for detecting near surface mines is consistent with the Navy�s goal of "getting the man out of the minefield" and might also be useful tactically if it were part of a more clandestine preparation of the battlespace.

Existing UUV systems have been developed and are in acquisition for mine reconnaissance and searching for bottom and close tethered moored mines. Development of new algorithms that can detect surface or near surface mines would allow for single pass mine detection with a UUV decreasing the mine warfare timelines and needed assets. It would also provide a secondary capability to the existing optical system.

Commercial companies are using UUVs and ROVs for oil and gas research, marine fisheries research, diving and salvage, and disaster recovery. Marine fisheries research would be able to detect schools of fish or marine mammal in these harsh areas for research. The diving and salvage community would be able to detect near surface objects for recovery. These algorithms would also be useful in opening waterways for commercial navigation after disaster by having a single pass sonar system covering the entire water column.

PHASE I: Development of the mathematical algorithms that will be used to detect the near-surface mines. Demonstration of the effectiveness/performance of the algorithms. This can be completed analytically or through simulation. Prediction of algorithms performance with sea state.

PHASE II: Coding of the algorithms onto a real time processor. Integration with an existing or commercial side scan sonar. Demonstration of the algorithms on the existing side look sonar against simulated targets in sea state 3.

PHASE III: Integration of the algorithms into the SMCM increment 3 UUV program.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Commercial companies are using UUVs and ROVs for oil and gas research, marine fisheries research, diving and salvage, and disaster recovery. Marine fisheries research would be able to detect schools of fish or marine mammal in these harsh areas for research. The diving and salvage community would be able to detect near surface objects for recovery. These algorithms would also be useful in opening waterways for commercial navigation after disaster by having a single pass sonar system covering the entire water column.

REFERENCES:
1. Explanation of Mine threat: http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-1945723/Sea-mine-threat-can-no.html

2. Mine warfare: http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/issues/2001/Feb/Desire_to.htm

3. Sidescan versus echosounder object detection: http://www.thsoa.org/hy99/6_1.pdf

KEYWORDS: SAS; mines; algorithms; unmanned undersea vehicles; sonar; CAD/CAC

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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