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Low-Power Arctic environmental sensors for UUVs
Navy STTR FY2011A - Topic N11A-T025 ONR - Mr. Steve Sullivan - [email protected] Opens: February 28, 2011 - Closes: March 30, 2011 6:00am EST N11A-T025 TITLE: Low-Power Arctic environmental sensors for UUVs TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Sensors, Battlespace OBJECTIVE: With the increased interest in Arctic environmental prediction and sensing, new sensors are required to make the observations needed to enable integrated earth system models to accurately forecast future environmental conditions in the Arctic. UUVs can be used to increase the sensing capability in the Arctic, but they require the development of new sensing technologies to allow adequate observation of key environmental variables, such as ice thickness, temperature and salinity, that can be integrated onto long endurance UUVs. DESCRIPTION: UUVs developed over the last decade have dramatically increased our ability to observe the ocean. However, there is a need to develop new technologies for environmental sensing, particularly in demanding regions such as the Arctic Ocean. Undersea gliders and powered UUVs like REMUS permit remote environmental monitoring, and these tools have been developed to increase the sensing capability that constrains numerical ocean models used to provide predictions. The next extension is to develop the specialty sensors needed to measure the characteristics needed to properly predict the environment in the Arctic. Goal of the project are to develop robust, long endurance UUV-specific sensors (i.e size and power limited) for environmental measurements of the Arctic. This includes: The combination of sensors should be able to fit into a 12-3/4 " diameter UUV with a power draw goal of less than 60W. There are many different approaches that can be used to solve this problem including new algorithms development, new low power processor, new materials (such as but not limited to single crystal), or completely new technology The topic is open to all sensor design approaches. In addition, working in the cold arctic environment may require modification from current environmental sensors to overcome the extreme cold environment. PHASE I: Develop a preliminary design for the ice thickness and environmental sensor payload. This may include one sensor or multiple sensors. There if flexibility in the system design to meet the above sensing goals. Provide the theoretical predictions of the system and develop a technology development plan for Phase II. The deliverable should be a concept design of the system. If the design or components of the design are very high risk, a risk reduction plan should be included. PHASE II: Complete the system design. This task should include any risk reduction tests, detailed design review, and test plan. Fabricate prototype sensor payload and complete laboratory. Complete development tests to determine performance of the system in simulation or laboratory. PHASE III: Integrate the developed STTR environmental sensor as a payload onto ONR UUVs. Provide technical support at sea tests of the STTR sensors on a government UUVs during the experiment. Mature the STTR technology sensor package to a TRL 7 and develop a transition plan to integrate the new sensor into NAVO UUV acquisition programs PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: There is significant interest in Arctic operations and logistics from the science community and commercial industry. There is significant interest from international partners in Arctic research which could utilize this technology to advance scientific research in the Arctic. Private industry is very interested in Arctic sensing technology development, as the Arctic may contain a vast amount of untapped natural resources. The oil and gas industry continues to gather as much information on this area as possible to plan for future oil drilling operations. REFERENCES: 2. Under Ice Sensors for AUV -- 3. AUTOSUB AUV under ice missions -- KEYWORDS: sensor, UUVs, Ice Thickness, Environmental Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.
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