Compact Long-Range Underwater Velocity Sensor

This proposal responds to the need for enhanced underwater position estimation for its Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (UUVs). In this Phase I effort, we propose to design a velocity sensor for UUV's that is based upon our existing Broadband Sonar technology developments for the US Navy in applications for both weapon based systems and manned underwater vehicles. This improved velocity sensor is not only accurate in bottom ranging from less than ten feet, to greater than 1000 feet, but is also significantly smaller and requires less power (10 Watts or less) to operate than legacy systems. This proposal, consistent with our previous Sonar and Doppler technology developments, anticipates that the resulting velocity sensor can be capable of interfacing with both legacy navigation devices and future open architecture systems. Further, the design will be inherently less sensitive to acoustical noise that is self-generated by the vehicle, or inherent in the environment. ASSETT has assembled a strong team that combines in house skill and experience with Draper Laboratory, a premier research institution in the area of UUV and Sonar Systems, and MNW Associates, a company with extensive experience in the design and analysis of complex sonar systems.