DON26BZ02-NV046 — High Frequency Omni-Directional Acoustic Sensor with Open Architecture Telemetry

Award Maximum: $240,000 (Phase I Base: up to $140,000 / Phase I Option: up to $100,000) Period of Performance: 6 months base + 6 months option Phase Type: Phase I

OBJECTIVE: Develop an acoustic sensor with omnidirectional high-frequency detection of low source levels, accurate bearing determination, and native integration with an Open Architecture Telemetry (OAT) towed array.

DESCRIPTION: Towed acoustic receive arrays provide powerful insight into the undersea environment and the natural and man-made entities that exist under the surface of the ocean, including adversaries. Towed arrays are populated with hydrophones. Accurate bearing determination is crucial for effective evasion or attack. To determine bearing using existing sensors, either maneuvers or arrays of omni-directional sensors must be used. These maneuvers and arrays introduce delay and complexity to acting. Providing a high frequency omni-directional hydrophone with bearing capability will substantially reduce the time required to achieve effective evasion or attack. Currently there is no commercially available technology to fill this need.

Given new telemetry paradigms that increase the number of sonar elements that can be included in a towed array, the Navy seeks a small omni-directional acoustic sensor that can improve array capability. This omni-directional sensor, paired with vector sensors to enable bearing determination, would be compatible with OAT. This will enhance towed arrays performance in detecting and localizing acoustic entities across a wide frequency range. With increased hydrophone density in the towed array, higher resolution mapping of the acoustic field can be achieved. However, the number of data channels available in the array is limited by the available bandwidth and amount of power that can be utilized throughout the array.

The Navy has developed OAT to reduce Navy reliance on proprietary hardware vendors. This open architecture approach allows other vendors to participate in the refinement of key Navy towed acoustic receive array design elements.

The high-frequency omnidirectional acoustic sensor must be robust enough for towed array deployment, survive a range of environmental conditions, withstand speeds up to 30 knots, and depths to one mile.

To minimize flow disruption over the towed array, the dimensions of the High Frequency Omni-Directional acoustic sensor should be smaller than approximately 2 inches in diameter.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVSEA in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

PHASE I: Develop a concept for an OAT High Frequency Omni-directional acoustic sensor meeting the parameters of the Description. Demonstrate the concept is feasible and can meet the parameters through analysis and modeling. The Phase I Option, if exercised, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build a prototype solution in Phase II.

PHASE II: Develop and deliver the prototype sensor designed in Phase I. Demonstrate the sensor through testing in a controlled body of water, such as the deep waters of Lake Pend Oreille near Bayview, Idaho, by conducting prototype testing to verify the survivability of the acoustic sensor in the ocean environment. This testing will provide data to support the Navy's decision regarding the potential adoption of the sensor into future towed receive array designs.

It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see Description section for details).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Navy in transitioning the technology for Navy use. Work with Navy subject matter experts to develop designs that will perform as desired when integrated with the other open architecture telemetry elements, towed array hydrophones, and towed array physical form factor. Should the Navy determine that the designs are appropriate for incorporation into the OAT system, the Navy will provide refined system requirements. Prototypes will either be purchased by the government or by prime contractors producing towed arrays.

Potential dual use would be for arrays used in oil and gas exploration and other environmental sensing applications.