TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Battlespace

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Sonar Automation

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 innovative methods to improve localization of acoustic echoes measured with towed array sonars.

DESCRIPTION: Accurate localization of active returns sensed by towed arrays can be critical to Anti-Submarine Warfare mission effectiveness. Many towed arrays lack the ability to discriminate between left and right. Maneuvers, sea conditions, and tow scope introduce differences between the location and heading of the towed array relative to the tow ship and active source. Current towed array location estimates are computed based on measurements of ship heading, ship speed, and array heading, but the estimates become unacceptably coarse during severe maneuvers and when array heading sensors fail. The technology developed should complement existing array shape and localization algorithms being used in the fleet today.  It is anticipated that this technology will improve not only towed array localization but also multi-sensor localization accuracy, including data fusion.

PHASE I: Define and determine an innovative approach to localize towed arrays. Demonstrate candidate technology performance using simulated or real data. Demonstrate algorithm benefits for contact fusion and tracking.

PHASE II: Develop and prototype a real-time processing application for the selected technical approach for active towed array localization and integrate into a research processing architecture. Develop quantitative measures of towed array localization performance improvement relative to current techniques using at-sea data recordings. Develop an implementation approach to transition the technology to a Navy production sonar system.

PHASE III: Implement and integrate the towed array localization technology capability in an operational sonar system.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This technology could be applied to any complex multi-channel sensor system undergoing rapid maneuvers including seismic exploration, surveillance systems, and remote geo-science sensing.

REFERENCES:
1. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/systems/an-sqs-53.htm

2. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/systems/an-sqr-19.htm

3. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/MFTA-The-US-Navys-New-Towed-Array-for-Naval-Detection-04956/

KEYWORDS: Classification, Automation, Torpedo, Signal Processing, Active Control, Adaptive Processing

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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