N101-043 TITLE: Low Cost, Reliable Towed Sensors Handling Systems

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

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO Submarines, Towed Sensors Systems PMS401, ACAT I

OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative concepts for a low cost, reliable thin-line towed array (TLTA) handling system having a long service life.

DESCRIPTION: Current handling systems for deploying and retrieving the Navy�s thin-lined towed arrays from submarines subject the arrays to more stress than desirable for reliable performance and long array service life. This topic seeks non-traditional hydraulic innovative concepts for a towed array handling system that can deploy, stow, and retrieve a tow cable and array having a length of up to 5000 feet with a 1.5 inch diameter. The concepts must include novel approaches for handling system locations that that minimize mechanical forces on the array, do not affect the hydrodynamic flow of the submarine, support ease of operations and support pier side maintenance and inspection. The design must support handling of legacy TB-29A and TB-23 arrays as well as the Next Generation Thin Line Towed Array.

The handling system should include the mechanical components as required for design concepts (e.g capstan, roller boxes, guide trunk, stowage reel concepts) as well as all operational sensors, motors, and the mechanical interface between the handler and the array. Specifically, concepts are sought that minimize mechanical forces on towed array, and support ease of operations and maintenance. The system must also operate on the existing shipboard electrical supply. More specifically, systems should minimize forces transmitted to the internal wiring, connectors, sensitive electronics (including programmable components), and optical components. The design must not introduce additional noise, strum or electrical artifacts.

Submissions are required to propose realistic and innovative handler installation location(s) concepts that minimize mechanical stress on the towed array and minimizing stress on vertical and horizontal stabilizers of the tow platform. The proposed installation concept must consider peir side maintenance activities and support ease of preventive and corrective maintenance activities.

Design approaches must Reduce Total Operating Costs (RTOC) and improve handler reliability to meet or exceed 90% for 365 days while demonstrating (2) two full operational cycles (1 deployment and 1 retrieve) per day, while maintaining operational tactical capabilities of the towed array.

Proposals will be expected to measure forces, accelerations, stresses, and strains to key parts of a thin-line array during deployment and retrieval so that the Navy can accurately assess proposed designs in terms of potential damage to the towed array and its internal components. Offerors are not expected to develop dummy arrays. Government Furnished Information (GFI) may be provided after award on existing dummy arrays and such arrays may be provided as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) after Phase I. Such GFI and GFE will not be provided during the Solicitation period.

The main structure components (storage drum, capstan, guide and tubes) must incorporate low cost, high strength, light weight, corrosion resistant materials and have a 30 year service life in the submarine operating environment that includes the range of operational depths and sea water chemistry.
The handling system should also operate and survive during vibrations associated with towing conditions during SSN high speed maneuvers. The handling system should also survive stowage (non-operational) temperatures from -40 degrees C to 60 degrees C, and operating temperatures from -2 degrees C to 40 degrees C. It must also survive rapid changes in temperature associated with submergence in extremely cold and warm environments

PHASE I: Develop concepts and studies that provide realistic, innovative towed handler locations and handling system concepts that support an approach leading to the fabrication and installation of an innovative handling system that meets all mechanical and electrical requirements. Identify fabrication methods, proposed materials and approaches to demonstrate feasibility. Perform material tests and analytical modeling to support the design. Develop approaches to test proposed design that will yield measurements of acceleration forces, stresses, and strains that will permit an objective assessment of the potential damage to the towed array during launch and retrieval at variable speeds.

PHASE II: Develop and model a scale prototype based on the approved conceptual design and concepts of Phase I.. Demonstrate system performance through modeling or analytical methods over the required range of parameters including numerous cycles.

PHASE III: Develop and produce full scale prototype towed array handling equipment which satisfies the descriptions in Phase I and II above. Demonstrate performance with an instrumented dummy towed array. The Program Office will fund final development of a system meeting this requirement. The prototype will then be tested, 1500 cycles, at a designated facility to determine it�s reliability, effectiveness and Operational Availability (Ao) when exposed to the stresses similar to submarine operations.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Private/commercial sector may benefit from this technology in the commercial seismic exploration and arrays monitoring systems.

REFERENCES: (publicly available from various sources on Internet)
1. Mil-S-901D, Shock Test, High Impact, Shipboard Machinery.

2. MIL-STD-167-1A, "Mechanical Vibrations of Shipboard Equipment (Type I � Environmental and Type II � Internally Excited)".

KEYWORDS: Keywords: light weight, affordability, reliability, Composites, polymeric materials, towed arrays, deployment, recovery, handlers

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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