Autonomous Underwater Sensing of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Nomadics, teamed with the University of Rhode Island, proposes to develop sensors for the detection of weapons of mass destruction underwater for protection of the nation's coastlines and the protection of deployed forces. The Phase I effort successfullydemonstrated that payloads using these types of sensors could be deployed on REMUS underwater autonomous vehicles and be capable of detecting explosives and radioactive materials. In Phase II, sensor development will build on existing efforts at Nomadicsto address chemical and biological agent analytes. Nomadics will develop and demonstrate such sensors in a realistic marine environment. These sensors will be developed in a modular format to allow specific mission configuration of UAVs and ease inupdating sensors to incorporate new technologies or to address new threats. The Nomadics/URI team is working closely with the Navy to ensure that the technologies meet service needs and will be adopted by end-users. Further, we are working with themanufacturer of the REMUS UAV and other UAVs to ensure a pathway to commercialization and marketing. The initial product will enable the capture and return of samples via REMUS UAVs. This will help to avoid placing divers in harm's way and will fill animmediate defense and research need for UAVs. Subsequent elements of the sensor suite will provide detection of weapons of mass destruction and, during commercialization, other analytes of environmental and health interest.