Sensor Technology for Anti-Submarine Warfare

The development of sensors capable of simultaneously measuring both the acoustic and magnetic characteristics of a target is critical to more reliable tracking and identification of submarine and surface vessels. Further, such a sensor would find multiplecommercial applications including monitoring and control of vehicle and freight transport. Ferro Solutions has pioneered the development of a family of magnetic field sensors by combining magnetostrictive and electro-active materials.The objective of this Phase II program is to accelerate the development of these new sensors. The goal is to demonstrate a hybrid acoustic/magnetic sensor capable of a magnetic sensitivity approaching that of a SQUID magnetometer (10^-15 T) and withacoustic sensitivity surpassing that of currently used hydrophones (-170 dB/reV/ uPa). Defense and government applications of the anticipated results from this phase II program includes but not limited to magnetic anomaly detection (MAD), underwater traffic monitoring, navigation system, battle field monitoring, personnel detection andwarning systems for perimeter, ambush, and casualty detection, and homeland security applications including perimeter protection, airport security, and firearms detection; archeological surveying; and de-mining (UXO) applications.A significant commercial market is also anticipated for the hybrid acoustic magnetic field sensors. Passive magnetic field sensing, current sensing, wheel speed sensing, traffic monitoring and control, remote medical sensing are among the commercialapplications.