Distributed Sensor System Innovations

In order to counter the quiet modern submarine threat, distributed sensor systems require innovative concepts to provide high performance levels cost-effectively. With technical advancements, smarter, more capable sensors can now provide improved performance, long-range, and long-life to achieve cost-effectiveness. Utilizing the Reliable Acoustic Path in deep water, an array of sensors can achieve long range acoustic detection when reliably deployed and moored. The distribution of these sensors over an area requires that they be of reasonably manageable size and weight (e.g., Mk-46) for launch from aircraft and ships. The optimal automatic deployment, descent, and mooring of a highly capable RAP sensor requires a precise sequence of underwater. The design and packaging of the sensor depends upon this sequence. Stability of descent, cable payout, component deployment, bottom impact, and mooring reliability depend upon parameters such as hydrodynamic shape; the changing mass, weight, and buoyancy distribution during with descent; cable-pull-out force; component size and shape; impact velocity; bottom type; and anchor type. The present effort is to develop an optimal, cost-effective means of automatically deploying a large, multi-element array sensor in the deep ocean and mooring this sensor where the ocean bottom depth, slope, and type is unknown.