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Micro-MAD Tow System

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N68335-15-C-0037
Agency Tracking Number: N142-109-0665
Amount: $79,998.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N142-109
Solicitation Number: 2014.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2014
Award Year: 2014
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2014-10-09
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2015-04-15
Small Business Information
11711 N. Creek Pkwy S., Suite D113
Bothell, WA 98011-8804
United States
DUNS: 000000000
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Jeffrey Slostad
 Chief Engineer
 (425) 486-0100
 slostad@tethers.com
Business Contact
 Robert Hoyt
Title: CEO&Chief Scientist
Phone: (425) 486-0100
Email: hoyt@tethers.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI) proposes to develop a system for towing micro Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD) sensors from unmanned and manned rotary-wing aerial vehicles such as the Fire Scout MQ-8C VTUAV. In prior efforts, TUI successfully developed a prototype lightweight winch, fiber-optic cable, and passively-stabilized tow body for deploying the AN/ASQ-233 sensor from the MQ-8B. Recent advances in micro MAD sensor technologies as well as new high-strength optical fiber cables can enable further reductions in the SWaP for a towing system. The lower energy requirements of the micro-MAD sensors enable rechargeable batteries to power the sensor, and eliminating the need for conductors in the cable to transfer power to the tow body enables use of a thin, high-strength optical fiber as the tow cable. The size and mass reductions in the tow body and cable in turn enable significant reductions in the SWaP of the winch. In the proposed Phase I effort, TUI will develop a concept design for the Micro-MAD Towing System, detailing component technologies, interfaces, and CONOPS as well as determining high-fidelity SWaP, cost, and drag estimates. In the Phase II we will mature the full Micro-MAD Towing System to TRL-5+ through testing on Part-133 Class-A certified helicopters.

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

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