SonoWatch: Navy Acoustic Situational Awareness System

The goal of this SBIR is the development of an automatic acoustic detection system to assist operation of unmanned surface vehicles by providing additional data regarding the operating environment shared with other vessels. During the Phase I Navy Acoustic Situational Awareness System (NASAS) program, McQ developed the SonoWatch system to meet the requirements. The McQ team demonstrated the feasibility of developing an autonomous acoustic lookout. McQ designed a custom data collection microphone array, captured data for algorithm analysis, and localized the source of the signals. McQ’s Phase II Technical Effort will focus on the continuation of a system engineering process that will yield a fully functional SonoWatch prototype. McQ will implement a complete hardware and software solution for the localization and identification of navigation signals. The Navy will have the opportunity to evaluate the prototype and will be asked to provide feedback for system refinement. This system will provide great utility to all ship operators in improving their awareness of other vessels, particularly in times of low visibility.