Efficient 3-inch Acoustic Device Countermeasure (ADC) Depth Control System -- 19-006

The objective of an Acoustic Device Countermeasure (ADC) is to protect ships and submarines from adversarial torpedo threats. To control depth, conventional ADC systems utilize a ducted propeller that uses an electric motor which draws a considerable amount of power. Because the same battery that drives the depth control device also drives the acoustic transponders, ADC acoustic performance can be magnified if a less power-hungry buoyancy-driven force is used. In this SBIR effort, Metron will leverage unmanned underwater vehicle variable ballast system technology to develop a state-of-the-art depth control mechanism and controller that emphasizes simplicity, low cost, and low power consumption. In this process, Metron will implement microprocessor-based electronics incorporating depth sensor feedback, and focus our mechanism design on robustness and launch survivability. Overall, this ADC depth control system will assist in ensuring improved safety of United States Navy ships and submarines.