Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) Sensor for Ohio Class Ballistic Missile (SSBN), Ohio Class Guided Missile (SSGN), and Columbia Class Submarines

Areté Associates proposes the “Submarine Environmental Measurement System (SEMS)” in response to Navy SBIR Topic N191-027. SEMS provides a sensor system capable of scientific-quality conductivity, temperature and depth measurements within the mechanical, hydrodynamic, electrical and data acquisition restrictions of the existing submarine platform, while meeting or exceeding the solicited requirements. SEMS will have a stable collocated conductivity/temperature pair yielding the best derived sound velocity possible and has built in biofouling mitigation. The submarine mounting configuration uses ram flow that quickly delivers water to the sensing volume. Our four-electrode conductivity sensor is driven with a high clock frequency, eliminating the need for platinization of the electrodes, while preserving calibration stability. SEMS has a modular design to allow for the addition of other environmental sensors. SEMS uses a highly accurate COTS pressure sensor. Phase I base will develop the concept SEMS; the Phase I option will move the design to PDR level. The Areté team has developed and successfully fielded over 10 different submarine-mounted sensor systems over the last 35 years. All of the relevant Areté personnel have the required clearance levels for this SBIR program, and we have numerous approved Navy SCIFs for data storage, generation and technical interchange.