Strike Group Active Sonar Exploitation

AN/SQQ-89 surface combatant active processing does not currently leverage echoes from off-board sources, such as other combatants in the strike group or transmissions from other systems. Leveraging active emissions bi-statically can improve Q-89 ASW capabilities in high-interest scenarios. Alternately, ships could retain current performance while reducing the amount of acoustic energy they emit, reducing the potential environmental impact. Combining additional bi-static detection opportunities with existing mono-static active returns should lead to faster time to detect, improved detection, longer detection ranges, longer holding times, and improved tracking performance. The primary focus of this SBIR proposal will be on initially leveraging bi-static Q-89 active transmissions for enhanced active ASW operation. Requirements and a concept of operation for AN/SQQ-89 bi-static processing are proposed for development. Example high payoff bi-static acoustic detection scenarios are discussed, and proposed for further development and performance evaluation. Addition acoustic processing functionality required for bi-static processing is identified, and a performance evaluation is discussed.