SBIR-STTR Award

This project proposes an unmanned semi-submersible surface craft with an innovative wave piercing, planing and ballasted hull form that builds upon a system in advanced development for ONR incorporating many of the key features necessary for persistent and low-visibility operations. This basic concept will be tailored to the mission requirements of the sponsor resulting in a robust versatile semi-submersible platform. MCM and ISR missions are envisioned, but additional missions requiring unmanned persistent and/or low visible operations can be accommodated. Performance analysis will be assessed and evaluated with respect to mission requirements. The concept design will be further evaluated for effectiveness in reduced visibility, low radar cross-section, and IR and acoustic radiation. The effectiveness of the self- ballasting feature will also be evaluated.

Benefit:
This project will provide a novel platform for persistent and low-visibility operations that can be used in several important missions for the Navy. The ability to transit long distances to and from the area of interest and remain on station for a long period of time in a clandestine mode while collecting information is unique to this proposed platform. This will provide the Navy a new capability that is currently not available.

Keywords:
Station-Keeping, Station-Keeping, persistence, Low-visibility, EOD Platform, stealth, USV, wave piercing, ISR Platform

The SK-LVC Phase II proposal requires the employment of new and evolving technologies in the areas of power generation, autonomous operation and control of both surface and undersea unmanned vehicles, and operation of vehicles across the operational environment continuum from subsurface, surface, and airborne. Additionally, the SK-LVC Phase II proposal provides an opportunity to employ existing, new and evolving sensor, intelligence collection, information transmission, and command and control technologies in trans physical environment (littoral, near land, surface and subsurface; off shore, surface, subsurface, and airborne) and trans operational theater environment (fleet, theater, AOR), as well as support for peacetime reconnaissance activities and intelligence collection. The SK-LVC Phase II proposal pushes the technical and operation envelope of not only the system that comprise the actual LVC vessels but also the sub-systems and technologies employed within the LVC vessels that are used in other non-related systems.

Benefit:
Increase the interoperability of the SK-LVC vehicle to deploy and recover a wider range of UUVs and other vehicles. Adapt the LVC platform to perform near-real-time ISR operations via real-time data links through overhead systems. Develop air-deployable LVC systems for fast response, over-the-horizon or operations within denied costal territory. Build on the Phase II solutions that mitigate power and form limitations to further miniaturize buoyancy engines, and energy storage/production technology. Build on the Phase II solutions for autonomous operations to improve attitude control (depth, azimuth, speed) resolution and responsiveness.

Keywords:
Low Visibility Craft, Airborne Glider, Glider, Submerged Glider, Station Keeping Low Visibility Craft, submersible, Air-Water Transition Glider