SBIR-STTR Award

This program will develop a new concept of a Diffusion of Influence Sweep Effectors, or DISE. The very low cost highly dependable autonomous and sensor-less mine influence sweep system will utilizes random chaos navigation for diffused pathing to assure proximity to target. The navigation system allows for elimination of complex propulsion and electronic IMU based autopilots or the need for communications to complete mission. The concepts single unit modality allows for simplicity in design but complexity of performance diffused in a swarm, making the system inherently inexpensive and expendable.

The objective of this Phase II SBIR project is to develop and deliver maritime Mine Countermeasures (MCM) sweep systems. The current state of practice for maritime MCM are cumbersome, expensive, and slow, often involving manned assets in the vicinity of potentially mined waters. Expendable miniaturized mine countermeasures (MCM) influence systems will be developed, tested, and fielded. This program will focus on designs using lessons learned from Phase I test platform. The goal in the Phase I project was to produce and evaluate a functioning mine effector using COTS transducers allowing for low-cost production. In the Phase II program, we will integrate low-cost COTS transducers which were tested during Phase I to perform well within required specifications. The ultimate goal of the phase II is not only to produce prototypes, but also develop a methodology to drastically reduce the cost of the prototypes during Phase III commercialization.