SVELTE: Lightweight MAD Sensor Towing System for UAVs and Small Helicopters Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Topic No.: N08-001 Topic Title: SVELTE: Lightweight MAD Sensor Towing System for UAVs and Small Helicopters Proposal No.: N081-001-0641 Firm: Tethers Unlimited, Inc. 11711 N. Creek Pkwy S., Suite D113 Bothell, Washington 98011-8804 Contact: Robert Hoyt Phone: (425) 486-0100 Web Site: www.tethers.com Abstract: Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI) proposes to develop a small lightweight ASW magnetometer towing system in collaboration with Aerovel Coporation for integration with small aircraft and UAVs. This system will be comprised of a non-magnetic aerodynamic body for the magnetometer, a towing cable that will provide power and receive data from the sensor, and a lightweight winch for deploying and retrieving the cable and sensor. A key element of this system is TUI's novel `orbital winch' technology, which eliminates the need to use electrical slip rings to enable power and communications to be provided to the remote sensor head, thereby minimizing the mass, complexity, and cost of the overall system. In addition, we propose to integrate inertial sensors and active control surfaces on the towed endbody to meet the towing stability requirements. The combination of TUI's extensive experience in systems for deployment of cables in extreme environments, along with Aerovel Corporation's UAV and miniature aircraft technologies and expertise, will enable our team to develop a towing system that meets the program requirements with minimal technical risks. Benefits: The SVELTE towing system will enable naval forces to perform submarine detection missions using small, unmanned vehicle platforms. Implementation of MAD sensing on UAV platforms will enable significant cost savings compared to current large, manned platforms, and will enable more frequent and more rigorous ASW sensing missions. The SVELTE towing system will also enable magnetic anomaly detection to be utilized on UAV platforms for commercial applications such as mineral and petroleum prospecting. Return