Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) Detection and Classification in Harbor Environments

The US Navy needs robust detection systems for UUVs operating in harbor environments to protect high-value assets. The OASIS Team proposes to conduct a detailed feasibility study of using passive array(s) with integrated signal processor(s) to detect, classify and track, in real time, the underwater radiated noise of intruder UUVs. The requirement for the system will be a detection range of 1 km with a false alarm rate of 1 per day. In Phase I, possible intruder source levels will be estimated, as well as ambient noise and propagation appropriate for harbor environments. We will tradeoff the system performance (detection range, array gain, beam width, number of sensor channels, etc.) with frequency, cost, response time, array type and placement in the harbor. Existing and new array designs will be evaluated as well as various concepts of operation. A preliminary design for the system will be developed and documented for Phase II proof-of-concept testing. With extensive experience in designing, building, and testing high resolution passive arrays integrated with signal processors on board UUVs for the successful ONR PLUS and Marine Mammal Monitoring programs, the OASIS Team is uniquely qualified for this project.