Award

Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group (CPRG) has prioritized the PHASE technology insertion into the SSQ-53 and SSQ-62 production sonobuoys and has recommended an operational flight demonstration. PHASE performance to date, has been credible. The PHASE flight kit technology consists of a unique single parachute that is drag-based and a three-stage air decent system.  This PHASE technology enables the P-8A to conduct ASW operations at higher than traditional altitudes. Cost savings are negligible, but operational capabilities are improved when deploying PHASE sonobuoys in Global Positioning System (GPS) denied environments. The primary benefit of deploying the SSQ-53 and SSQ-62 PHASE modified sonobuoys include more precise sonobuoy placement and improved time-to-fall during P-8A ASW operations during critical target localization, track, and attack kill chain phases. Other attributes include 1) potential cost avoidance in fuel costs by operating the P-8A at more efficient operational altitudes; and 2) the P-8A performing ASW operations at higher altitudes may result in less platform fatigue. In October 2019, SeaLandAire delivered 50 SSQ-62 and 14 SSQ-53 integrated PHASE flight kits in support of a government airdrop test from a P-8A.  This airdrop test was successfully completed in November 2019, by VX-20 with VX-1 personnel observing.  VX-20 airdropped a total of 39 SSQ-62 and 6 SSQ-53 with the PHASE flight kits from 15,000ft.  In summary, the test met its objectives with all PHASE sonobuoys successfully surfacing, 5 of 6 SSQ-53 PHASE sonobuoys and 33 of the 38 SSQ-62 sonobuoys were fully operational after the buoy surfaced. The average time of fall for the PHASE modified SSQ-53 was 86.6 seconds and the SSQ-62 had an average time of fall of 67.1 seconds. The PHASE modified SSQ-62 had an average time of fall 55.4 seconds faster than the production buoy and the SSQ-53 PHASE modified buoy was 71.8 seconds faster than its production counterpart. The primary goal for this Phase II.5 effort is to mature the PHASE design and provide sufficient PHASE-modified sonobuoys to support in-flight assessments of PHASE effectiveness in an operationally relevant ASW environment. Additionally, the PHASE technology will be subject to cost and qualification assessments to improve production-readiness in transition to an ECP.