Forward Bathymetry Sensing for Safe High Speed Boat Operation

Increase navigational safety of surface vessels through the development of forward looking sonar capable of operating at high speeds. Provide an innovative sonar and mounting or deployment method with minimal cavitation to increase sonar performance while maintaining high speed operational performance of small combatant craft. Existing commercial technologies either in service or under development can be utilized to provide shallow water navigation and obstacle avoidance or alertment. Phase I of this project will result in the development of a sonar system designed to provide navigational data ahead of the vessel for man or unmanned operations. Phase II will result in the production of a prototype designed for testing on an 11 meter RIB.