Exercise Torpedo Buoyancy (Recovery) System Navy SBIR FY2007.3 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2007.3 Topic No.: N07-212 Topic Title: Exercise Torpedo Buoyancy (Recovery) System Proposal No.: N073-212-0405 Firm: Systima Technologies, Inc. 1832 180th St. SE Bothell, Washington 98012-6454 Contact: Anthony Desimone Phone: (425) 487-4020 Web Site: www.systima.com Abstract: Retrieval of field exercise torpedoes by the US Navy requires an inflatable Buoyancy Recovery System (BRS). The current hot gas system is expensive to operate/maintain with expended material and is labor-intensive to refurbish. Systima is proposing a new, lower cost torpedo buoyancy system which eliminates the need to cleanout the byproducts of the inflation system, the associated inflation system solid propellant grain costs, and assembly/operation complexity of the current solid propellant based torpedo buoyancy systems. The Systima inflation system approach is estimated to provide a cost savings in excess of $1,000,000 per year. By utilizing modern, refillable, high pressure composite gas bottles as the energy source for inflation of the system, a lightweight, high performance system is engineered which also features improved handling and logistics due to the lack of explosive components. Robustness is enhanced through a differential pressure control system and deployment features are designed to provide safer, easier retrieval by naval personnel. Benefits: Key benefits of the Buoyancy Recovery System include substantial operating cost reductions, reliability, reduced service/maintenance and scalability of the system. Safety during transport and handling are improved over current hot gas systems due to the lack of explosive components. The Recovery System or its technologies could be used in a variety of applications including underwater vehicle recovery (military, commercial, research, etc.), water safety systems, underwater construction, commercial diving, salvage and recovery, military special ops, offshore oil-field operations, and oceanography. Return