Low-Cost, Covert, Moored Environmental Monitoring Package

The objective of this SBIR is to develop a practical, low cost, self deploying, fixed environmental monitoring system for shallow water areas. The proposed concept will leverage existing sonobuoy technology, previous engineering development efforts on moored A and B-size sonobuoy systems, subsystem components currently in Navy exploratory development, and state-of-the art low earth orbit satellite communications systems. The concept envisions a B-size monitoring package with the following characteristics: (1) 250 lb weight, (2) 90 day operational life, (3) covert air, surface, or subsurface delivery, (4) autonomous in-water deployment and operation, (5) and a multi-parameter oceanographic measurement capability (wave, current, sound speed, depth, turbidity, and ambient noise). This proposal will investigate and prepare a detailed hardware, software, and communications concept. Trade-off studies and analysis will be conducted to examine sub-system design options, to demonstrate feasibility of the concept, and to identify critical technology areas requiring proof-of-concept demonstration in Phase II.