TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics, Battlespace

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA 264, Air Antisubmarine Warfare Systems

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop an innovative design for compact low-noise electrodes for air-deployed electric field sensor platforms.

DESCRIPTION: Passive electric field sensors have the potential to provide useful information for tactical surveillance and classification of marine vessels. Exploitable electric field signatures include galvanic corrosion currents and alternating extremely low frequency electromagnetic (ELFE) signals caused by impressed current cathodic protection systems or attenuating current (AC) modulation of the electrical resistance of the shaft bearings as they rotate. Dry-storable electrode technology with a low-noise floor in both the ultra-low frequency (ULF) and ELFE bands that provides immediate signal transduction upon contact with seawater is needed for next generation electric field sensors for air-deployed sensor operation.

PHASE I: Provide proof of concept and innovative designs for compact low-noise electrodes that are capable of dry storage and rapid deployment with minimal thermal and salinity sensitivity.

PHASE II: Develop and test engineering prototypes of electrodes for electric field sensors that are compatible with A-size buoy containers and launching systems (approx. 4 7/8 in. X 36 in.). This effort will include ocean tests of prototype sensors in relevant environments to determine system effectiveness.

PHASE III: Develop an electrode production design for the A-size buoy for integration and transition into existing Naval sonobuoy systems.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Technologies developed are applicable to commercial underwater vessel location and collision avoidance systems.

REFERENCES:
1. Petitt, R.A.; Filloux, J.H.; & Chave, A.D. (1992). Technology For The Measurement Of Oceanic Low Frequency Electric Fields. OCEANS '92. 'Mastering the Oceans Through Technology'. Proceedings. Vol. 2, no., pp.642-647

2. Crona, L., Fristedt T., Lundberg P., & Sigray P. (2001). Field Tests of a New Type of Graphite-Fiber Electrode for Measuring Motionally Induced Voltages. Vol 18, 92�99.

3. Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington. Electrode and electric field sensor evaluation. Technical Document 3124, September 2001, ADA397369.

KEYWORDS: Underwater Electric Field Sensors; Sonobuoys; Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW); Electrodes; Low Noise; Electromagnetics

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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