HyperKelp Covert Ocean Monitoring Buoy System (COMBS)

HyperKelp's Phase II initiative focuses on advancing maritime domain awareness through an enhanced Kelp Smart Buoy (KSB) platform, equipped with the COMBS (Covert Ocean Monitoring Buoy System) payload. This development aims to provide the Department of the Air Force (DAF) with an efficient, deployable grid of buoys capable of detecting and classifying surface vessels and aircraft, addressing the challenge of increasing vessel traffic and sophisticated adversary tactics, especially in anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) scenarios Building on Phase I successes, Phase II will integrate acoustic, RF, EO, and IR sensors into the KSB platform. These COMBS payloads will process and summarize critical information about detected contacts, transmitting data to the DAF's Common Operating Picture (COP) through J-Series messages. The effort aims to achieve the following milestones over 24 months: 1. Optimize the operational classification algorithm 2. Classify known contacts 3. Develop and fabricate the operational FLOATS payload 4. Operate the sensor fusion algorithm on the CBC2 or a relevant battle management ecosystem 5. Deploy KSB units from government-owned aircraft6. Deliver real-time intelligence at a government-sponsored T&E event with a fleet of 10-15 KSB units 7. Final report The technical strategy includes close collaboration with the DAF to refine sensor and algorithm selections through SWaP-C analysis and iterative testing at events like Trident Spectre and RIMPAC. An initial COMBS unit will be fabricated within nine months, followed by 15 additional units for extended testing. The KSB platforms, boasting over 3.3 million measurements and 45,000 operational hours at sea, feature solar arrays for indefinite operation, multiple communication pathways, and the capacity to host various sensor payloads. The Phase II effort will capitalize on these capabilities to develop a robust, multi-sensor monitoring system that enhances situational awareness and decision-making in maritime environments. Innovations in this project include neural network optimization for signal classification, integration of diverse sensor modalities, and deployment of cloud-based sensor fusion algorithms. These advancements will enable the DAF to deploy a resilient and adaptable ISR capability, reducing reliance on costly and vulnerable assets. By the conclusion of Phase II, HyperKelp aims to deliver a mission-ready maritime domain awareness payload validated through rigorous testing, paving the way for Phase III deployment. This solution addresses urgent defense needs while providing environmental data for civilian research, demonstrating dual-use potential and significantly enhancing the DAF's operational effectiveness in contested maritime domains.