Automated Remote Sensing Sound Velocity Profiler

The development of an innovative, affordable and automated system for near-surface, real-time, remote sound velocity profiler to measure the velocity of a transmitted acoustic pulse as a function of depth is proposed. Alternative technologies for environmental sampling will be explored and a tradeoff study to determine the most promising approach will be conducted. A design concept study to determine the feasibility of implementing the selected approach will be performed. The design concept study shall present options which define ship impacts and the integration of device ouput with a combat system necessary to achieve goals of reduced workload and increased mission performance. A detailed design of the device which implements the recommended technology will be provided. A breadboar test will be conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of approach. The proper implementation of a Laser Doppler Sound Velocity Profiler (LDSVP) (U.S. Patent 5,379,270) or a fiberoptic/electrical cable technique will enable the optimization of active sonar performance on surface combatants to maximize detection ranges and search rates by environmental adaptation in the highly variable, adverse, shallow water environments of littoral areas.