Expendable Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (ExCTD)

Progeny Systems has performed analysis and preliminary design of an Expendable Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (ExCTD) sensor that can be launched from the 3 launcher on the submarine during the SBIR Phase I effort. The ExCTD can launch, ascend toward the surface, flood (change buoyancy) and then descend to sample the water column every 10 feet during ascent and every 5 feet during descent at a speed of 10 ft/sec. During the profiling mission the sampled CTD data will be transmitted to the Submarine in real time via a fiber optic link where processing will calculate the Sound Velocity Profile (SVP) and Water Density. The ExCTD incorporates a low-cost modified Commercial Off the Shelf CT sensor which is pumped with seawater using a custom designed gear pump. The CT sensor components are licensed to Progeny and they will be integrated effectively into the final product.Phase II includes a detailed build-test-build approach of the initial prototypes to develop the Engineering Development Model baseline. EMD models will be built and tested at-sea and at the NUWC 3 launcher facility. During the Option, a production baseline will then be set and additional units manufactured for additional testing culminating in submarine TEMPALT testing.