Fiber Optic/Electrical Lightweight Tow Cable for Optical Towed Arrays

Fiber optic towed arrays offer the Navy the ability to deploy larger channel count arrays that can have a much wider frequency bandwidth. They also offer a wet end cost reduction and an immunity for many electrical and magnetic noise sources. During Phase I, several electro-optical tow cables were identified that satisfy the E/O signal path, mechanical strength, and optical fiber reliability requirements. The candidate cables are a Dual Function TB-33/TB-29A tow cable and a small diameter E/O Vector Sensor Array tow cable for UUV/USV applications. During the 2-year Phase II basic contract effort, these cable designs will be developed further to determine the optimum arrangement for the optical fiber paths so that tow cable elongation does not excessively strain the optical fibers nor affect the fibers long-term life. Prototype versions of these cables will be procured and tested along with their terminations. A Source Control Document will then be prepared for each cable. During the 6-month Option Phase, 1st Article production versions of these cables will be procured, tested and delivered to the Navy.