Expendable Air-Drop Littoral ASW Training Target

We propose a systems analysis of a low cost expendable target that can be deployed from aircraft or surfaceship during a training exercise to emit a wide range of acoustic signals while maneuvering at a wide range of speeds in a complex pattern representative of an evading diesel electric submarine. The device will have a full range of detection, emission, echo-repeat, logging, and communicating functions, as well as the full capability to inter-operate with sonar. The proposed effort will analyze the component subsystems to determine their requirements and capabilities, as well as analyzing available alternatives for meeting system requirement, including evaluating technology currently being developed in other Navy programs to leverage those effort to provide a more effective device, development of which can also entail less risk, time and money. The result of Phase I effort will enable Phase II fabrication and testing of a prototype device.