Simplified Low Drag Hydro-Acoustic Sources

KaZaK Composites proposes to design, manufacture and test prototype transducers that have the potential to mimic ship-like acoustic signatures by providing a frequency selective design capable of high acoustical power output that meets or exceeds Navy requirements. Transducer design considerations will incorporate drag resistance reduction, control surfaces and neutral buoyancy for ease of use in the marine environment. To reduce impacts to tow vehicles, transducer power requirements, launch and retrieval operations and stowage requirements will be minimized. Transducer material selection will utilize composite materials for low maintenance, impact resistance, durability and low cost for long term operation at sea. Automated transducer operation is necessary to meet Navy requirements to interface with unmanned organic off board vehicles. This includes launching, tow depth operation and retrieval. Significantly reducing transducer cost and automating transducer operation provides the opportunity to outfit a wide variety of Navy ships with sea surface based mine sweeping equipment In Phase II KaZaK will finalize designs, then fabricate and test transducer components and full scale transducer systems to validate performance predictions. BENEFITS: The proposed program will demonstrate the use of new technology as a viable method for sea surfaced based mine sweeping. A low cost, low weight design will provide the Navy with an acoustic transducer capable of being towed behind Navy RHIBs. Providing this RHIB capability has the potential to greatly expand the use of mine sweeping equipment throughout the Navy, Marine and Army vessels. Use of advanced composite structures reduces operation costs and insures long term use in the marine environment. In addition to obvious benefits to the U.S military, such an innovative transducer has potential in foreign and commercial shipping applications. Foreign countries that have recently been or currently involved with conflicts are eager to clear shipping lanes to major ports and cities. This low cost acoustic transducer capable of being towed behind small vessels provides these countries, ports and cities a cost effective way of clearing mines to insure commercial shipping and public safety. In addition, commercial shipping companies operating in ports in these countries could maintain a small vessel and this mine hunting transducer to insure safe arrival and departure of their ships.