Fiber Optic Interconnect Technology

Progeny's concept provides an approach that has potential to make significant advancements in the field of off-board sensor connectivity technology. In addition, it has direct application to the UUV Program Office's future mine warfare efforts. The concept consists of a deployable neutral density buoy that contains a power source and a transceiver and antenna, supported from above by a low-observable float that contains an antenna and photovoltaic cells connected via a sonobuoy-like elastic cable to an acoustic processing container resting on the bottom of the sea. A micro-UUV connects the acoustic processing container via cable to the acoustic array. The UUV contains an independent power source and a homing and docking system. The UUV seeks out an undersea terminus attached to the acoustic array through the use of short-range HF acoustic transponder signals. When connected, acoustic data is processed in the acoustic processor and sent to the transceiver. The UUV Program Office variant does not include the acoustic processing module. In this case the micro UUV contains an explosive charge and would home to a transponder dropped by a larger UUV in the vicinity of a mine-like object while remaining tethered to the RF transceiver component at the surface.