SONALYSTS INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N181-074

Description

The MK 39 Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Training Target (EMATT) provides valuable training capability for the U.S. Navy when coupled with the Field Programmability System (FPS). However, the FPS fails to meet user expectations in terms of reliability, maintenance, human factors, and battery technology. Sonalysts will develop and articulate an upgrade strategy for the MK 39 FPS that considers multiple technical options to resolve the system shortcomings, and identify the leading candidate architecture for further development during Phase II. Central to the effort is a functional analysis that will identify the barriers to optimal performance in two of the key functional areas of the FPS. With regard to power storage, Sonalysts will investigate and characterize advanced battery chemistries and battery management systems to improve capacity and depth-of-discharge; increase battery life; and reduce weight and volume. In the area of data communications, we will investigate multiple communications options to best reduce the number of data transfers and shorten their duration while simplifying cabling requirements.