TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Electronics, Battlespace, Weapons

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a non-lethal swimmer deterrent using an underwater electrical field of approximately 2 volts/ft to produce paralysis of muscles.

DESCRIPTION: The Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF), as a component of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), will fill current warfighting gaps by providing highly trained scaleable and sustainable security teams capable of defending mission critical assets in the near-coast environment. The US Navy Acquisition Program Office for Anti-Terrorism Afloat (PMS 480) in support of MESF, has identified a non-lethal swimmer deterrent system is required for the Navy Expeditionary Security System (NESS) Combat System Program to protect docked and anchored vessels from swimmer terrorist attacks. The goal of this topic is to develop a portable system that will provide a cone of protection using an underwater electrical field to deter a surface and submerged swimmer. The innovative challenge is to be able to control the underwater electrical field in order to prevent the system from becoming lethal. The system shall be of a cascade design to allow for adaptability of use (e.g. provide a cone of protection around an anchored vessel or protection of a harbor entrance). The system shall be deployable and retrievable by a maximum of two persons from a 24 to 28 foot surface craft. The system shall be compatible with standard shore power and ship service power. The system shall be designed to be deployed for a minimum of three weeks and will be activated upon validation of a known threat. The system must be able to cover the range of depth from the surface to 150Ft and while producing an electric field strength of approximately 2 volts/ft. The system must provide a cone of protection up to 200 yards from the vessel but have zero effect within 150 feet of the vessel or pier. The system shall not interfere with shipboard or pier side electronic systems or cathodic protection systems. System design shall consider all environmental effects such as sea life etc. The system will be deployed at remote locations in the field and will be required to be unclassified. It is unforeseeable that the product as a result of Phase II will be classified or require access to classified material.

PHASE I: Develop a specific non-lethal swimmer deterrent system design including hardware and software. Identify the high risk technical challenges and provide breadboard evidence of the ability to meet them.

PHASE II: Fabricate a prototype system and perform non human tests that will replicate actual effects on a swimmer. Finalize the concept design and make recommendations for Phase III production-oriented designs.

PHASE III: Produce and conduct testing of close-to-production model system. Transition the technology to PMS 480 Expeditionary programs.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: During time of GWOT, terrorist swimmer deterrents become a vital role in protecting harbors and off-shore structures. Much of the technology developed under this effort will be applicable to homeland defense, law enforcement, and private sector security.

REFERENCES:
1. Underwater Electrical Safety for Divers, Underwater Magazine, July/August 2004.

2. AODC (IMCA), Code of Practice for the Safe use of Electricity Under Water, Association of Offshore Diving Contractors, 1985.

3. Dalziel, C. F., "Electric Shock Hazard", IEEE Spectrum, Vol. 9, No.2, 1972.

4. Hackman, D. J. and J. S. Glasgow, "Underwater Electric Shock Hazards", Journal of Ocean Technology, Vol. 2. No. 3, 1968.

5. Bove, A. A., "Underwater Electrical Hazards and the Physiology of Electric Shock."

KEYWORDS: Diving; Underwater; Combat Swimmer; Electricity; Terrorism; Harbor Protection.

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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