Compact Aerial Deployable Acoustic and Magnetic-Anomaly Sensing System
Navy SBIR FY2015.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2015.1
Topic No.: N151-058
Topic Title: Compact Aerial Deployable Acoustic and Magnetic-Anomaly Sensing System
Proposal No.: N151-058-0364
Firm: Physical Optics Corporation
1845 West 205th Street
Torrance, California 90501-1510
Contact: Kang-Bin Chua
Phone: (310) 320-3088
Web Site: www.poc.com
Abstract: To address the Navy's need for an acoustic sensing and magnetic-anomaly detection (MAD) capability deployable from VTUAVs such as the MQ-8C Fire Scout for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop the Compact Aerial Deployable Acoustic and Magnetic-Anomaly Sensing System (CADAMASS). It consists of modular pods that provide the flexibility of using different sensing approaches on a VTUAV. Different pods perform different functions, such as tethering acoustic and MAD sensors and launching expendable sonobuoys. A VTUAV can perform the following tasks in any sequence: (1) deploy the dipping sonar, (2) deploy the MAD sensor, and (3) launch expendable sonobuoys. In Phase I, POC will develop the CADAMASS design and, via simulation and analytical modeling, demonstrate its feasibility to meet all the Navy requirements. We will develop the acoustic and MAD data fusion for ASW. In Phase II, POC will develop a CADAMASS prototype and evaluate it in simulated environments. We will combine the data generated from simulated testing of the acoustic and MAD sensors to evaluate the data fusion analysis. In addition, we will develop a Phase III development plan to transition CADAMASS to Navy use by using the Dawnbreaker Navy Transition Assistance Program.
Benefits: Use of towed sonar and other types of towed sensors, such as magnetic and imaging sensors, has been increasing in marine and oceanic research. Such sensors are deployed not only in towed, but also in stand alone, configurations, both of which require deployment and retrieval (D&R) from moving platforms, such as aircraft, ships, and boats. Examples of this application are the fish-finding sonar towed by commercial fishing boats and the ocean floor imaging sonar towed by research vessels. Search and rescue operations can use imaging sonar and MAD to find missing aircraft (e.g., Malaysian Airlines MH370) or vessels. Regardless of the deployment platform, these applications require safe D&R mechanisms. The CADAMASS can be easily modified and adapted to these systems, even to stand alone ones. Other uses of CADAMASS include maritime security, oceanic studies, and sea minehunting. For example, with the proliferation of deployed sea mines around the globe, the demand is continually growing for the technological capability to stabilize minehunting sonar on various platforms. Additionally, the growing use of novel technologies to generate electrical energy from waves and the increasing development of infrastructure in the open sea will lead to an increased need for underwater surveillance, which ultimately will benefit from technology that can mitigate unwanted motion disturbances.

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