The Phase I project will develop the technical specification for a mine avoidance submarine tethered remote operating vehicle (MASTR) system capable of detecting moored and bottom mines and other ordnance to assure safe passage for the submarine. The preeminent design criteria for the MASTR system will be that it provide sufficient real-time data that the operator can detect, classify and accurately determine the position of all mine like objects in the immediate path of the submarine. The system specified must be capable of quiet operations at considerable standoff range from the submarine; it must achieve high through-the-water speed; it must carry acoustic sensors capable of detecting and classifying mines and transmitting real-time data to the operator aboard the submarine; it must be able to accurately resolve its own position relative to the submarine; and it must be capable of being launched, recovered, recharged and maintained from the submarine. The specification developed will address the proposed MASTR vehicle design, the acoustic sensor systems and navigation equipment required for the mission, the launch and recovery system and the operators control station.
