Environmental Wideband Acoustic Receiver and Source (EWARS)

The U.S. Navy requires a new Environmental Wideband Acoustic Receiver and Source (EWARS) sensor to facilitate the gathering of environmental data from Navy ASW platforms. The newly developed EWARS sensor will deployable in shallow and deep environments, and be capable of operating over a broad spectrum of frequencies. EWARS will also provide calibration accuracy, digital uplink format/precision, and high dynamic range. In Phase II.5 of this SBIR, the EWARS team will build and test both a low frequency and a mid-frequency sonobuoy prototype from specification as a proof-of-concept, demonstrating its performance by way of in-water testing. In addition, A-size packaging will be demonstrated. New processing techniques will be demonstrated that extend the current and planned sensor capabilities. As part of the development, the EWARS team will develop and demonstrate critical technology that can transition to production A-size sonobuoys. To maximize economy and to minimize risk, the EWARS prototypes leverage heavily on existing technology readily available or currently being developed for use in other U.S. Navy sensors. Prototype EWARS sonobuoy will be tested in an end-end configuration so that transition to production has reduced technical and cost risk.