Low Cost, Reliable Towed Sensors Handling Systems

Thin-line Towed Array operational capability and array development progress have been restricted by substandard reliability of the Handling System/Array and resultant high operational costs. Thirty years of attempts to improve reliability have proven that Handler, Ship and Array concepts must be reviewed jointly and solution to reliability problems are only achievable through concept change. This SBIR research intends to employ handler/array concept joint reviews by; 1) reviewing, categorizing and weighing known reliability issues; 2) determining what ship locations are available that lessen environmental issues; 3) comparing past array failures to finite model array stress, relative to various handler design concepts; 4) reviewing, categorizing and weighing Unit Level Handler concepts relative to form, fit, function, life, cost and reliability projections; 5) selecting a new handler concept approach and ship location to minimize array interface stress; 6) eliminating existing low reliability TLTA Handler Units, components and/or subassemblies. To achieve the optimum TLTA Handling System an ideal team was formed including the Handler Concept Designer/PI, the Shipyard/Stakeholder, the Array Designer/Stakeholder, and an UNDEX/Implosion Environmental Expert, all from the onset of Phase 0, with increasing involvement planned through Phase III. Achievement will be gained through unity.