Undersea Warfare Applied Research

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Distributed Search focuses on the development of technologies for the tactical search for undersea targets ranging from hours to weeks, using automated sensor systems deployed around operating areas, including along key transit routes to protect naval/maritime forces, around temporarily fixed sea base regions and naval force operating areas, or around fixed defensive regions and areas of interest, such as key US/Allied ports. "Search" is conducted in concentrated areas, typically exploiting cues received from surveillance systems. The objective is to develop rapidly deployable systems employing automated detection and classification capabilities for use in both shallow and deep water operating environments. Related efforts include the development of distributed systems; Unmanned Undersea Vehicle-based and affordable off-board deployable sensing systems employing persistent detection concepts and components; and active acoustic sensing and processing techniques, navy-unique transduction and underwater networking technologies. These efforts provide an extended reach of organic platform-based systems through the use of new sensor concepts, improved materials for advanced sensors, optimized deployment, employment, and automated operation of distributed sensor fields.

ASW Precision Localization focuses on the development and demonstration of technologies which use information from surveillance or search systems to determine an Area Of Uncertainty (AOU) relative to target range, bearing, and depth adequate to handoff to an attack system. Precision Localization employs non-acoustic techniques such as magnetic and optical sensing to localize submerged threats. The objective is to increase magnetic sensor range and robustness, enable deployment on Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs), and increase optical sensing search rates. Efforts include the development of non-traditional tracking and advanced magnetic and electric field sensors and processing. These technologies will provide a decreased AOU size thus enabling the effective use of smaller, more versatile torpedoes as well as increased performance gain in detection, targeting, tracking/trailing, and homing via target acquisition and covert prosecution.

ASW Surveillance focuses on improving detection, classification, and localization capabilities in large ocean areas relative to the capabilities of existing ASW surveillance systems. The related technologies support the conduct of covert, wide-area surveillance ranging from one day to six months. The objectives are to develop and demonstrate technologies that provide clandestine indications and warnings in far forward and contested operating areas, and in complex operational environments against all submarine threats, including new threats with unknown target signatures and tactics. Covertness implies use of non-observable platforms and/or deployed automated sensors employing passive sonar, or other non-detectable methods. The surveillance process includes initial detection and classification. Efforts include the development of Unmanned Undersea Vehicle-based and affordable, off-board deployable sensing systems employing a wide variety of surveillance concepts and components. These efforts focus on alternative detection phenomena, vector/tensor sensors, automated acoustic processing, more compact and longer lasting power sources, and high bandwidth, acoustic communications links.

The goal of the Marine Mammals and Biology activity focus is to better understand and characterize the effects of underwater sounds produced by Navy acoustic sources on marine mammals. Studies address characterizing marine mammal and their ecosystems, quantifying effects of sound exposure on marine mammals, and improving the ability to monitoring and detect marine mammals in the open ocean. Research results supports Navy environmental compliance information needs and facilitates acquiring Letter of Authorizations from NOAA regulators that enable all Navy training and testing operations, and the development of appropriate state-of-the-art mitigation measures. The marine mammals research conducted in this Program Element (PE) represents part of a total effort executed in coordination with complementary research performed in PE 0602435N Ocean Warfighting Environment Applied Research.

Undersea Weaponry focuses on the development of technologies for current and next-generation, offensive and defensive weapons capable of engaging submarines, surface ships and threat torpedoes. Specific efforts focus on increasing probability of kill and probability of counter-kill by improving sensor performance, engagement tactics, vehicle propulsion and warhead lethality. New weapon and delivery concepts are being assessed. Detailed information regarding Undersea Weaponry Applied Research program plans and objectives is at a higher classification.