Glide Away Precision Sonobuoy

The P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft will soon be replacing the P-3 Orion. The P-8 flies at a much higher altitude than the P-3, and needs a new sonobuoy guidance system to allow sonobuoys to be placed accurately without the aircraft having to descend. This multi-phase SBIR project will develop the"Glide Away Precision Sonobuoy"(GAPS), a high-aspect-ratio parachute and navigation system that will fly a sonobuoy from 25,000 feet to a target area 25 nm away, with sub-50-yard accuracy. GAPS will be compatible with existing sonobuoy deployment systems and will require minimal changes to existing sonobuoys. When manufactured in quantity, GAPS will cost less than $1000 per sonobuoy. By enabling allow aircraft to deliver sonobuoys accurately from altitude, GAPS yields significant fuel savings, hence the Navy will realize a quick Return On Investment. Phase I will design the key elements of GAPS, followed by component construction and testing in the Option. Phase II will develop and test a complete prototype program. We will develop a full-scale version of GAPS and integrate it with a sonobuoy to for field-testing under realistic conditions. Phase III will include testing on Navy aircraft and the commencement of production and sales.