Wang, Qing

Many sea trial and other RDT&E events in the maritime environment are limited by a lack of in situ observations characterizing the environmental conditions affecting system performance. This is becoming an even more critical limitation with the advent of sophisticated networked and autonomous systems that rely on the EM, EO, and acoustic environment for C2. Inexpensive, autonomous, and accurate payloads are needed for expendable sensing. To respond to this critical need raised by the topic sponsor, we propose to develop an environment sensing system deployable from the shipboard. The objectives of the sensing system development are: 1) low-cost and expendable that is suitable for operational application; 2) easy deployment and non-interfering with other deck operations; and 3) measurements in the vicinity of the ship in uncontaminated air/water. The third objective is important because the phenomena we intend to capture, e.g., the evaporative duct, is normally below the ship deck level. The system includes a sensor package, a floating platform, and a data acquisition and transmission package. All sensors and communication units will be affixed to a small float to keep them from salt water damage/contamination. All measurements from the sensor package are to be transmitted to the shipboard receiving unit. Our proposed work includes design, system integration, and extensive at-sea testing.
NPS Naval Research Program
NPS Naval Research Program
Navy
2017