While Electro Optic (EO) sensors stationed on the surface and space systems are key to the Deprtment of the Navys (DoN) ability to track and counter hypersonic threats, they face limitations. Both space based and surface level sensors are prone to signal blockage by clouds, which absorb optical and infrared signals characteristic to Hypersonic Glide Vehicles HGVs. Well over 50% of the ocean is subject to cloud cover at a given time, meaning that the majority of deployed surface based EO sensors will face significant challenges in detecting and identifying obscured threat signatures. These obstacles demand any successful tracking system to take a multimodal approach to the detection of HGVs, especially during the glide and terminal phases of flight. HyperKelp proposes that any effective counter hypersonic EO sensing mesh will incorporate tip-and-cue capabilities from rapidly deployable infrasound and acoustic sensors. By fusing EO signals with acoustic and infrasound signals, signatures of overhead hypersonic threats cannot be masked by cloud cover or changes in velocity. Such signals have been used to study hypersonic craft at large standoff distances since the Apollo missions, but only recently have advancements in edge computing enabled the classification of the source vehicles. HyperKelps autonomous sensor platforms will incorporate this technology to host acoustic sensors and novel, non-traditonal signal processing models to act as classifier engines. If successful, these automated classifiers will provide tip-offs for cooperative sensor array technology, including optical sensors further along threat axes. This multimodal approach is resilient to weather conditions, increases preparedness throughout the killchain, and offers redundant and independent sources of information that will strengthen all EO-based detection systems. This Phase I will deliver a feasibility study of a deep machine learning technique to train Dense Neural Networks (DNN) as acoustic signal source classifiers. Building on HyperKelps existing body of work, these DNNs will analyze real time spectrogram feeds to identify acoustic signal structures, like N-wave overpressures, that are consistent with overhead hypersonic vehicles. This work will culminate in a plan to prototype this passive sensor and target classification capability onboard HyperKelps autonomous Kelp Smart Buoy (KSBM) platforms during a Phase II. The Phase I Option will integrate and deploy the Phase I products aboard HyperKelps existing KSBM system to accelerate the project toward delivery of a mission-ready product by the end of a Phase II.
Benefit: Anticipated Benefits If successful, HyperKelp will ultimately provide the US with the ability to turn entire oceans - over 70% of the planet - into hypersonic-denied zones. This means that hypersonic weapons prime targets, such as Carrier Battle Groups, have heightened and sufficient reaction times against hypersonic threats, even in radar-denied environments. Warning times will also be significantly improved for forward ground based targets on Pacific Islands such as Guam, as well as on the Northern and Western Coasts of the United States and its allies. The growth of HyperKelps buoy fleet across the worlds oceans will provide US Naval assets with a global, persistent hypersonic threat detection and alerting system at a fraction of the cost, complexity and deployment time of equivalent satellite based systems. Commercial Applications HyperKelp believes that its approach of using existing and well established deployment infrastructures that accommodate the sonobuoy form factor will allow for a rapid deployment of sensors throughout the world's oceans. The DoD deploys existing sonobuoys at rates exceeding 200,000 units per year, but these traditional sensors require constant aircraft support and typically last less than 24 hours. Even if end customers deploy 2% as many of the proposed persistent tip-off sensor platforms, HyperKelps fleet size would immediately exceed that of its next largest competitors by a factor of 2x. By delivering the key and unmet defense need for cost effective and covert x-HGV sensors, HyperKelp plans to tap into this massive demand and deployment infrastructure to scale its fleet. The defense applications of the KSBM cannot be understated. In addition to supporting core missions with a form factor that is already familiar to DoN sailors, KSBM buoys will rideshare multiple customer sensor payloads. This quickly supports the largest, most comprehensive ocean datasets in history. These data products have clear value to multiple DoD customers, as well as to civilian and commercial entities. In fact, HyperKelp has already served customers ranging from NOAA to Northrop Grumman. This dual use business model, and the security measures needed to support it, have been successfully applied to space-based sensor constellations, such as those operated by PlanetLabs and Spire Global. HyperKelp estimates the total market size for ocean data products supported by free floating and moored buoys to be US $39B.
Keywords: buoy based, buoy based, passive, Barometric, Hypersonic Missile, Acoustic, detection, distant early warning, EO Tip-off
