N093-206 TITLE: Compact Dipping Sonar for Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Materials/Processes, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS403: Unmanned Surface Sweep System & USVs; PMS420: LCS Mission Modules

OBJECTIVE: To develop a compact dipping sonar system optimized for Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions.

DESCRIPTION: The Navy�s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is the centerpiece for using unmanned vehicles (UVs) in conducting mine countermeasures (MCM), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and surface warfare (SUW). Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) are a common component within the mission packages currently in development to carry out these warfare missions.

Dipping sonar will be a key mission package supporting ASW operations. The current effort depends on modifying a dipping sonar designed for and deployed from helicopters. The AQS-13 is the in service helicopter dipping sonar. Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) is a next generation helicopter ASW dipping sonar. Helicopter dipping sonars are not optimized for USVs, where space is a premium and weight constraints limit the amount of desired equipment. In some instances, the stern of a USV has been observed to dip near water surface level under the heavy load of an attached sonar. This topic requests innovative design approaches to replace the current sonar with one of reduced size, payload, and improve acoustic performance. The effort will require innovative concepts and design cross the whole sonar system, not a re-engineering of the current system. Proposed solutions should consider the entire system, including array design, transduction approaches, innovative handling systems, cable design, electronics, etc. Solutions may comprise new materials (including structural, transduction, and cable materials), and/or synergistic design approaches that reduce system size, weight and complexity. A successful effort will enable a more rapid adoption of these mission packages. System commonality between USVs and helicopters is also encouraged; helicopters may also benefit from an improved sonar system because of space and weight considerations.

PHASE I: Develop a conceptual design of an improved dipping sonar system for a USV. The design should include a tradeoff study and performance comparisons with legacy systems. Conceptual Interface control documentation should be created for the design.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype system that can be integrated onto a USV in Phase III upon successful testing. Evaluation of the prototype could be on a platform of opportunity, which may include a RHIB boat or commercial ship.

PHASE III: Integrate and test of the system on a USV.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This technology would be applicable to applications involving USVs, such as oil and gas exploration, search and rescue missions, commercial salvage, harbor and coastal surveillance for homeland defense especially in high alert conditions.

REFERENCES: (References supply information and do not endorse a particular approach or product.)

1. The Navy Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Master Plan: www.navy.mil/navydata/technology/usvmppr.pdf

2. Wallace, George, Whalen, Joseph E. Low-Frequency Dipping Sonar on A Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat. Sea Technology. August, 2005. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5367/is_200508/ai_n21378158/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1

3. Military sonar upgrading methods developed at Gdansk University of Technology, Marszal, J.; Salamon, R.; Stepnowski, A. Oceans 2005 - Europe Volume 1, Issue , 20-23 June 2005 Page(s): 489 - 494 Vol. 1 http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/login.jsp?url=/iel5/10104/32366/01511763.pdf?tp=&isnumber=&arnumber=1511763

4. AN/AQS-13 Series Sonar Systems (United States), Sonar Systems - Airborne Dipping Sonars. http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/juws/juws0228.html

5. Robert Been, David T. Hughes, Arjan Vermeij See http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/juws/juws0228.html

6 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS). http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/alfs/

7. Heterogeneous underwater networks for ASW: technology and techniques June 2008 http://www.nurc.nato.int/publications/pubs/2008/NURC-PR-2008-001.pdf

KEYWORDS: Unmanned Surface Vehicle; USV; Littoral Combat Ship; LCS; dipping sonar, ASW

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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