Acoustic Vector Projector Technology

This SBIR Proposal addresses the need for reduced volume and weight and improved reliability of higher power broadband directional sonar transducer arrays for forward looking ASW and CTDCL systems. It is believed that the Vector Projector can fill this need with both design improvements and selection of the best materials. We describe here an innovative approach that provides a lower resonant frequency than in the current design and allows greater output through leveraging action. The approach allows the formation of incrementally scanning using beams developed through a modal approach. These beams can exhibit a constant beam width over the band of interest with minimized radiation toward the host vessel and, most importantly, allow significantly reduced power to attain the desired source level. This proposal reviews the current vector projectors and describes the new improved Octoid version along with a plan for a Phase I effort and a metric for assessing various designs.