N101-068 TITLE: Technologies for Reduced Source Level Sonar Systems

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS-415: Anti-Torpedo Torpedo Defense System (ATTDS): ACAT II, PMS401BQQ-10

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work is to identify technologies and system concepts that will provide effective active sonar performance with significantly reduced transmitter source level.

DESCRIPTION: Navy surface and submarine combatants rely primarily on high source level (transmitter power) active sonar for undersea target detection and localization. In state-of-the-art systems such as the SQS-53C, high source level is required to attain the required detection ranges while using a relatively noisy bow-mounted receive array, which is operationally convenient. Performance in state-of-the-art systems has been governed by waveform parameter selections, signal coherence, receiver array size and self-noise. Key design trade-offs are discussed in the references. The current operational concept has been problematic for several reasons: transmitter power drives system acquisition cost, maintenance cost, and system failure rate; waveform and duty cycle restrictions limit detection performance against very slow (low Doppler) targets. Recent environmental rulings have limited the Navy�s latitude to employ these systems for training in preferred operating areas.

The Navy is seeking innovative technology, beyond the state-of-the-art to address current limitations while improving sonar detection performance in operationally relevant environments. Detection performance improvement of 4-6 dB is sought to justify back fit of legacy systems. Offerors may propose innovative system concepts including source arrays, receive arrays, deployed sensor concepts, new operating frequencies, waveform innovations, spectral and spatial processing, or any combination of these elements (see refererences for recent relevant research). The Navy is interested in concepts that involve a degree of technical risk. The proposed concept should have the potential to be low cost and have relatively low installation impact; however, ideas may range from current technology, near term system solutions to more radical technologies for next generation systems. Well-conceived responses may define the framework for a new active sonar operating paradigm.

PHASE I: The contractor will describe in detail the proposed system concept and associated technologies. Phase I analysis will make the case for feasibility of the proposed concepts. Supporting calculations and preliminary high level design should be included.

PHASE II: Phase II will focus on the development of a prototype of key system components for evaluation. A cost benefit study will be conducted to estimate the life cycle cost vs. system effectiveness as compared to conventional surface ship sonars.

PHASE III: Phase III will consist of full scale testing of the proposed innovative system concept in a battlespace environment. The offeror will be expected to identify candidate systems for transition and make the case for implementation or evaluation by the acquisition program manager or prime contractor.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This topic could produce technologies relevant to commercial senor applications including seismic exploration, medical imaging, and automotive motion/position sensors. The technology could be expected to provide reduced system cost, improved reliability, improved performance and reduced environmental impact.

REFERENCES:
1. H.L. Van Trees. Optimum Array Processing. John Wiley & Sons. New York, 2002.

2. J.A. Szelag and T.R. Howarth, "Investigation of single crystals for U.S. Navy standard electro-acoustic transducer applications", J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 125 (2009)

3. Calvo, D.C.; Gaumond, C.F.; Fromm, D.M.; Menis, R.; Lingevitch, J.F.; Edelmann, G.F.; Kim, E.; "Detection enhancement using multiple time-reversed guide sources in shallow water", Proc. IEEE OCEANS, Sept. 2005.

4. Biddiscombe, J.A., Kingsley, S.P., "An investigation into the principles of signal detection using multiple simultaneous waveforms" IEE Colloquium Advanced Transmission Waveforms, June 1995.

KEYWORDS: Keywords: torpedo defense; sonar; active; signal processing; array processing; undersea warfare

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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