Automated Multi-Static Processing Of Off-Board Sensors Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Topic No.: N05-043 Topic Title: Automated Multi-Static Processing Of Off-Board Sensors Proposal No.: N051-043-0537 Firm: Applied Hydro-Acoustics Research, Inc 5885 Trinity Parkway Suite 230 Centreville, Virginia 20120 Contact: Barclay Roman Phone: (703) 968-6117 Abstract: Use of multi-static active sonar fields provides necessary and complementary coverage to on-board organic sensors of surface combatants. Effective field management and performance requires an effective means for planning the collection of, managing, gathering, detecting, classifying, localizing, collating, associating, and displaying data from a large number of dissimilar sensors. With existing fleet tools and operating paradigms the increase in workload implies an increase in manning that is incompatible with fleet objective. An automated field management system must be developed to identify, categorize, and discriminate between contacts of interest and clutter, to prioritize contacts for operator evaluation. A CONOPS and work plan to accomplish this while leveraging existing AHA tools is presented and discussed in this proposal. Technical objectives are to develop concepts for, and demonstrate feasibility of a robust, COTS-based multi-static sensor & field management toolkit that takes advantage of the industry-recognized expertise of AHA in tactical decision aides, multi-sensor data fusion, battle space management, active and passive signal processing. AHA current experience in fielding applications to systems such as the SSQ-89/AV-15, the AV-15 IPS and the SPPFS-STDA, provide background knowledge in strategies for integration, test, and fielding that will be paramount in the long-term success of this research. Benefits: The primary anticipated benefits of this technology are to the Navy, through improvements in detection, classification, and localization (DCL) performance for ASW force protection, area clearance missions, and battlespace management. Additional investment in the technology will improve robustness and increase the scope of sensor and feature measurements to be associated. Potential DoD applications include the DD(X) and AN/SQQ-89(V) tactical surface ship programs with improved utility of ASW assets in challenging environments. In addition, this toolkit will be directly applicable in other Navy undersea warfare missions, such as Air ASW sonobuoy and surveillance missions. Potential non-DoD agencies, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, could apply these toolkit components for coastal protection to extend the capabilities of the Automated Identification System, a U.S. coastal security system that monitors large vessels heading in and out of ports. Additionally, the Homeland defense department could apply components for port acoustic security systems and tracking and localizing suspicious surface vessel traffic. Finally, this research could be used in acoustic/non-acoustic perimeter surveillance systems that rely on many sensors or multiple sensor types to satisfy customer needs and the oil industry to enhance the precision of sonar-based tools. Return