Strong, Economical Torpedo Fiber Optic Communications Link

An SBIR Phase I program is proposed to research and develop a strong economical fiber optic micro-cable (SEFOMC) for application to a ship-side underwater payout of torpedo communication links. Currently available fiber optic components, micro-cables,ruggedized overcoatings, manufacturing technologies and alternate fiber optic micro-cable (FOMC) designs will be researched. This will be done in order to develop candidate designs for a strong, economical FOMC (SEFOMC) ship-side torpedo mounded dispenser(TMD) with low cost and high reliability. Research will include the fabrication of sample lengths of candidate SEFOMC designs that will be used in laboratory tests of both mechanical and optical characteristics. Preliminary TMD designs and payout coilwinding assessments will be addressed in a Phase I option to enable results to be fed back into the candidate SEFOMC design process. A strong economical fiber optic micro-cable has immediate application and benefits to several ongoing or planned DODprograms and civilian industries. Use of torpedo mounted dispensers for underwater payout communication links alone is estimated to be as high as forty million feet yearly. Such a fiber optic communication cable would have immediate application in otherareas such as underwater guided vehicles (UGVs), ocean probes or permanent communication links through deep water or other harsh environments including land-based and underground locations. High strength fiber optic payout communication links are currentlyneeded for airborne applications and tethered aerostat based sensors. High reliability fiber optic communication links will be candidates for use in space and high performance aircraft applications. Ruggedized micro-cables have been investigated forapplication to deep well sensor probes that can be used during drilling operations.