Distributed Buoy Vessel Detection System

Protection of U.S. coastlines must begin with a front line situated significantly far enough seaward that potential threats to the Homeland can be detected and tracked, allowing enough time to interrogate and intercept if the threat is verified. The team of ACC and Sparton Electronics proposes a low-cost networked buoy vessel detection and tracking system based on the Navy?s low-cost directional AN/SSQ-53F passive sonobuoy, manufactured by Sparton Electronics, and the sonobuoy processing software developed for the Navy by AAC. In Phase I, the necessary modifications to the sonobuoy will be determined, and new technologies will be explored to address the extended lifetime, deep water mooring, and ruggedization requirements of the system. The resulting system will be capable of detecting and tracking all surface vessels approaching U.S. coastlines, reporting data back to a central location, and allowing ample time to respond to potential threats. Applications of this system exist in providing a basis to the Navy?s modern Sea Power 21 vision for Sea Shield and Sea Basing, as well as a line of defense for the Littoral Combat Ship. Forward deployed threat monitoring for shoreline assets as well as offshore oil platforms and wind farms also can benefit from such a system.