A Common, Low-Cost HF Submarine Sonar Projector

TRS Technologies, Inc. and Northrop-Grumman Undersea Systems (NGUS) propose to develop a common high frequency (HF) mine avoidance SONAR projector based on broadband single crystal transducer elements. The broadband transducers developed on this program will enable a common design for sail and chin projector arrays on Virginia class submarines. The unique properties of single crystal will result in projectors with over 100% bandwidth and ¼ the power requirement with no decrease in source level compared to conventional ceramic systems. Crystal transducers will also be up to 50% shorter than current devices. These improvements will enable enhanced performance in littoral waters and integration with low cost, compact power electronics. In Phase I TRS will develop and prototype optimized crystal transducers for high frequency projectors. NGUS will test the transducers in-water and will use the results to develop a preliminary prototype design for a compact, integrated HF projector array. In Phase II TRS and NGUS will fabricate and test a full scale prototype array. The transducers developed on this program will free up space and power on submarines for other uses and reduce development, upgrade, purchase, and maintenance costs of HF projectors arrays.