Environmental Wideband Acoustic Receiver and Source (EWARS) Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-042 Topic Title: Environmental Wideband Acoustic Receiver and Source (EWARS) Proposal No.: N101-042-1517 Firm: SeaLandAire Technologies, Inc. 1510 Springport Rd Suite C Jackson, Michigan 49202-1476 Contact: Jerry Cole Phone: (517) 784-8340 Web Site: www.sealandaire.com Abstract: The objective of this solicitation is to develop and demonstrate an innovative air-deployable source and receiver combination that is capable of characterizing the acoustic ocean environment over a wide range of frequencies from Navy Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft with the capability of crossing multiple operational environments. The ability to detect threats in the ocean in a high ambient noise and changing environment requires a significant amount of knowledge about the ocean environment. Since these parameters are very location dependent, a decided advantage is gained when the ocean is characterized for pre-mission planning. The proposed calibrated source / receive sonobuoy fills a void and has the capability to characterize the ocean by measuring transmission loss, ambient noise, effects of surface and bottom scattering, and provide the data to overhead or at-sea assets via a NATO radio. This environmental information will make ship sonar, production sonobuoys or other sonar systems more effective. Benefits: The Navy is lacking a calibrated buoy that provides characterization of the ocean environment and the need for this technology currently exists. Although a buoy similar to this has been made in the past, the technology available today has vastly improved and will not only make a better buoy, but also fill a need in the ASW community. One obvious customer is PMA-264 and to that end, work will begin, not only to ensure that the customer's needs are meet, but also that a funding route is available in the future. Therefore, we will pursue not only the technical aspects of the program, but also the funding route. This buoy will be applicable to a number of different customers, including those needing to measure acoustic parameters with a calibrated system in the field. This would apply to other Navy branches, marine scientist and marine mammal behaviorist. SeaLandAire has attend the TAP program in the past to highlight programs that had progressed to Phase II, and find that a valuable method to find potential customers. It is anticipated that future sales of this buoy would be in the hundreds versus thousands for current production sonobuoys. Based on past experience, the need for this buoy in limited numbers does exist and will last for years to come. Before this buoy will go into production, a number of certifications are required so that the buoy can be launched safely from an airplane. These certifications include both battery and air certifications. A number of partial units are required for these certifications test and therefore these tests would occur in Phase III. This will drive the schedule since no testing is allowed without passing these tests. Because this program is actually a family of buoys, each distinct buoy will need to be qualified, adding to both the cost and schedule. To minimize the effect of this testing on both cost and schedule, the commercial or non-military units would use an approved battery chemistry although at the expense of buoy life. Return