SBIR-STTR Award

The work proposed here represents a new direction in acoustic modeling and databasing in which all available signals, collected by TTS systems or offboard platforms, are employed to augment OAML models and databases with in situ METOC parameter measurements, estimations, and inversions. It is well known that tactical and offboard sonar systems can provide a rich set of acoustic signals, from which key METOC parameters can be determined. The operational and technical importance of this approach is reflected in the well documented ability of Navy sonar operators to observe key METOC conditions and the current Navy inability to use these high confidence in situ sonar operator observations to positively impact Navy C2 systems and tactical ASW decision aids and supporting acoustic performance prediction models.

Benefit:
Successful through-the-sensor (TTS) active sonar enhancements, leveraging tactical TTS and offboard active and passive signals exploitation methods, could result in substantially increased U.S. Navy active sonar performance prediction proficiency levels. Improved performance prediction accuracy can be leveraged to optimize sonar system employment modes and to increase ASW decision-making effectiveness, while generally employing fewer resources.

Keywords:
METOC Sensing, METOC Sensing, Through-The-Sensor, acoustic performance prediction, ASW Effectiveness