Acoustic Array Simulation Environment System

This program addresses a defined need by the NAVY for an Acoustic Array Simulation Environment System (AASES) to facilitate analysis of Time/Angle of Arrival methodologies as well as testing, validation and verification of antisubmarine warfare (ASW) systems on fixed wing (manned and unmanned) and rotary wing aircraft. This need can be addressed by deploying standard sonobuoys and actual vessels as the object to be detected and located. This method is effective but costly and labor intensive. In Phase I, a more cost effective and flexible testing and analysis system will be investigated. This will be accomplished by designing a system based around reusable sonobuoy surrogates(SSB) which receive and then transmit simulated signals that represent what a standard sonobuoy would have measured in its location from the chosen type and location of vessel in the simulation. In operation the system will receive the simulated acoustic signal for each of the SSBs and then wirelessly transmit that signal to the appropriate SSB which will then transmit the signal over a standard sonobuoy radio link. The system will consist of up to 64 SSBs each transmitting their received simulated signals for reception by any ASW receiver system. Phase II will implement prototyping.