Mine Drift Prediction Tactical Decision Aid (TDA)

Drifting mines pose a serious threat to the safe passage of US and international naval and commercial shipping traffic. In this SBIR, OASIS Inc. proposes to combine two algorithms developed under ONR/SPAWAR funding into a Mine Drift Tactical Decision Aid (MD-TDA). These algorithms include a tracer forecasting method, developed by the University of New Orleans and the Naval Research Lab, and an optimal path-planning algorithm developed by OASIS. Safe Q-routing (a detailed flight plan that includes specific transit lanes and turns) will be determined using a combination of dynamic ocean model forecasting that includes uncertainty, assimilation of in-situ measurements and situational awareness, and non-linear optimization algorithms. These tools will be integrated into a state-of-the-art 3D visualization mission-planning package for a prototype of the MD-TDA during Phase I. In Phase II these algorithms will be integrated with standard Mine Counter Measures (MCM) Command and Control (C2) systems.