Digital Engineering - Perception System for Situational Awareness and Contact Detection for Unmanned Underwater Vessels

SEACORP is proposing a multi-mode solution to detect vessels and stationary objects.  The majority of vessels, excluding a sailboat under sail, radiate acoustic sounds which can be exploited for detecting, classifying and localizing these vessels.  To detect vessels, SEACORP will employ a wideband quad hydrophone array running multiple detectors to detect sounds radiating from vessels which include broadband noise, engine and blades as well as active emissions such as fathometers, so even a sail boat under sail can be detected if a fathometer is operating.  To detect stationary objects or anchored vessels, SEACORP will add an active component to the sensor.  Our unique approach, will emulate a marine mammal click to enable the UUV to maintain a covert presence and avoid counter detection.  Detection messages generated from the passive or active array will be passed to the data fusion/ autonomy algorithm to estimate range, bearing, speed and depth.  Using this information, the UUV can be directed to maneuver and/or change depth to avoid a ship strike or impact of a stationary object.   The vessel autonomy algorithm will also direct the UUV to safely maneuver so distant vessels can be localized, thereby improving the overall situational awareness of the UUV.