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Compact, lightweight Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) with robust navigation and range for riverine reconnaissance

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N00014-11-M-0013
Agency Tracking Number: N102-182-1233
Amount: $99,926.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N102-182
Solicitation Number: 2010.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2011
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2010-10-18
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
1510 Springport Rd Suite C
Jackson, MI -
United States
DUNS: 005055582
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Brian Montague
 Director of Engineering
 (517) 784-8340
 bmontague@sealandaire.com
Business Contact
 David Sparks
Title: President
Phone: (517) 784-8340
Email: dsparks@sealandaire.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

An on-going need exists for a small lightweight Autonomous Underwater Vehicle capable of traversing, mapping and reporting data for shallow or remote waterways with difficult access. This bathymetry information must be referenced to above-water features such as obstructions, embankments, or waterway shape. SeaLandAire has partnered with BlueView Technologies and Cybernet Systems Corporation to develop a battery-powered miniature UUV with on-board sensing, intelligent navigation and communication capabilities which can operate in currents up to several knots and adapt its performance to achieve maximum range on the order of 50km. Less efficient speeds can also be used to reduce the overall reconnaissance mission duration. The AUV system includes a novel variable-orientation forward looking sonar from BlueView Technologies to provide multi-use functionality without adding volume, weight, or power consumption to the system. The sonar will provide high-resolution horizontal and vertical obstacle avoidance, bottom tracking using optical flow processing to reduce position error accumulation due to current, and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) based on fusion of in situ bathymetry with a priori GIS data. The design is an extension of prior design programs for autonomous or unmanned riverine and station-keeping vehicles.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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