Development of Explosive Non-Acoustic Sensing on Remotely Operated Vehicles for Littoral Threat Characterization in Complex Seabed Environments

Navy EOD needs non-acoustic sensing options to improve the ability to determine explosive threats underwater. Recent employment of remotely operated vehicles (ROV) has provided options for how sensors are deployed and the methods for neutralizing these threats. Boston Engineering, Harbor Branch/Florida Atlantic University, and other teammates have combined extensive experience with sensors, sensor fusion, and the Robot Operating System (ROS) to develop a Multi-nodal Object Determination Sensing system to meet EOD objectives. The solution is versatile and can be extended beyond non-acoustic sensor modalities, or to acoustic options, in the future. The use of an open source standard software such as ROS enables collaboration from many sources thereby increasing the probability to advancing the technology faster and with better long term capability. Phase I focuses on concept design, non-acoustic sensor analyses, simulation, and sensor fusion development using representative non-acoustic data streams. A prototype system to demonstrate performance, modularity, and integration onto target ROV platforms is planned for Phase II. We leverage existing expertise in system-level design, packaging of complex electromechanical hardware, sensor fusion, and design for manufacturing methodologies for underwater applications.