Undersea Warfare

Applied Maritime Technology

Programs in the Applied Maritime Technology area are anchored in the core competencies of sensors and information systems. Our work includes sensors and signal processing, data fusion, command and control, and system engineering concepts. Technology families important to the Applied Maritime Technology area include sensors and sensor systems; signal processing; information management; modeling and simulation; system analysis, testing, and evaluation; and system engineering.

For more information, contact J. R .Berry
USW Employment Opportunities

Submarine Sonar Acoustic Rapid COT (Commercial Off-the-Shelf)s Insertion (ARCI)

ARCI is the upgrade sonar system to be installed on virtually all submarines. APL participates in all aspects of development and testing, providing leadership for sonar working groups that direct the development and testing of next-generation technology. The Laboratory made significant contributions measuring the performance of tactical surface and submarine sonars, providing new insights into the sensor impacts on the development of tactical information. Recent testing with Fleet operators assessed the performance of two generations of tactical sonar systems. Analysis results indicate significantly improved performance with the newer system. This program is a notable example of using the advances in processing power available commercially to enhance anti-submare warfare (ASW) capabilities. APL's success with this build–test–build methodology has applicability to all undersea warfare platforms and systems, especially for sensors, the next major hurdle to achieving better detection performance. We are leading efforts to extend the ARCI process to the surface and air components of undersea warfare.

Engineering Measurement Programs (EMPs)

The Navy's EMP evaluate the effectiveness of technology after it has been put into Fleet use. As the lead for the EMPs, APL ensures an objective analysis methodology based on data collected in real-world operations and provides rapid feedback to improve system processes. These efforts include planned upgrades through the foreseeable future.

Task Force ASW Experiment (TASWEX)-04

Data collected during TASWEX-04 generated detailed comprehensive analyses. APL analysts and engineers analyzed thousands of sensor hours of data collected aboard three U.S. SSNs and two surface ships that combined to produce a detailed assessment of newly emerging and legacy submarine and surface ship ASW system performance against modern diesel submarine threats in operationally significant environments. A performance assessment of the preproduction version of the newest submarine combat control system provided valuable input to the acquisition sponsor during the preproduction period by specifying data-collection requirements and assessing the performance of automated contact localization algorithms. Through these activities, each of the EMPs provides Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with data-driven feedback regarding the performance returns produced by technologies emerging from research and spiral development investments.

Sonar Data Compression

APL developed a compression algorithm for passive sonar data that provides large compression ratios (>16:1) for passive sonar data while being "perceptually lossless." The algorithm provides a reduced-bandwidth output that is virtually indistinguishable from the original (when decompressed) based on established criterion. Passive sonar compression has two important criteria: (1) the operators must be able to perform their mission, and (2) sonar automation algorithms that use the data must get nearly the same results when using the decompressed data. Large-scale compression is a key enabler for emerging technologies such as Forcenet where data are shared between platforms and for distributed surveillance systems where many sensors may be deployed. In both cases, the available communications bandwidth drives the problem, and large-scale compression offers substantial flexibility and benefits. The APL algorithm has been implemented in a satellite-enabled deployable system and is undergoing rigorous testing and analysis for inclusion in several large Navy systems where communications bandwidth is critical.