Proteus - Low Cost Persistent Environmental Measurement System

With Proteus, our world class team proposes to leverage our extensive experience, existing technology, and a unique approach to deliver a low-cost, long lasting, multiple-profile oceanographic sensing and measurement device. Our experience in expendable dropsondes provides a baseline for an updated tactically relevant solution. Based on previous developments in the dropsonde area and similar R&D efforts that increase the TRL by leveraging existing technologies, we can show feasibility in the short term while also hitting aggressive long term cost targets. Driven by a prime contractor with over 20 years of proven success commercializing technologies including maritime devices, Proteus promises success for NAVAIR and future transition partners. Our team and network of connections to the user community provide reduced risk with increased probability of transition. Proteus provides a persistent (12 months) solution that provides easily backhauled environmental, acoustic, thermal, and optic/turbidity data through 1000 ft water columns at tens of dollars per profile. PH I will define the system design and test critical subsystems, enabling PH II success through use of our existing capabilities and technology in the oceanographic, dropsonde, and sensor markets and a focus on the main challenges of this specific development (persistence and cost).