Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N151-058

Description

To address the Navy?s need for an acoustic sensing and magnetic-anomaly detection (MAD) capability deployable from VTUAVs such as the MQ-8C Fire Scout for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop the Compact Aerial Deployable Acoustic and Magnetic-Anomaly Sensing System (CADAMASS). It consists of modular pods that provide the flexibility of using different sensing approaches on a VTUAV. Different pods perform different functions, such as tethering acoustic and MAD sensors and launching expendable sonobuoys. A VTUAV can perform the following tasks in any sequence: (1) deploy the dipping sonar, (2) deploy the MAD sensor, and (3) launch expendable sonobuoys. In Phase I, POC will develop the CADAMASS design and, via simulation and analytical modeling, demonstrate its feasibility to meet all the Navy requirements. We will develop the acoustic and MAD data fusion for ASW. In Phase II, POC will develop a CADAMASS prototype and evaluate it in simulated environments. We will combine the data generated from simulated testing of the acoustic and MAD sensors to evaluate the data fusion analysis. In addition, we will develop a Phase III development plan to transition CADAMASS to Navy use by using the Dawnbreaker Navy Transition Assistance Program.