Detection Avoidance System for Submarines (DASS)

In this STTR, Daniel H. Wagner Associates, together with the University of Michigan (UM), will develop a Detection Avoidance System for Submarines (DASS). The proposed DASS is a set of software modules which solves the probabilistic passive sonar equation (PSE) using given environmental acoustic data, assesses submarine vulnerability based on intelligence about potential threat ASW assets, recommends routes and tactics given specific objectives and constraints, and displays this situational awareness information and mission planning recommendations in an intuitive manner to users. In the Phase I period of this STTR, we demonstrated the feasibility of our approach by developing an initial DASS prototype and testing it on unclassified acoustic environmental data provided by ONR. This prototype had many of the proposed features of the final software, including the ability to process uncertain environmental data, to produce a refined probabilistic estimate of the friendly submarine’s vulnerability to detection, and to recommend routes of minimum vulnerability to detection. In the proposed Phase II base and option periods of performance, we will enhance the DASS modules, and develop them into a complete software package using an open architecture approach that can seamlessly transition into Navy use through the APB process.