Multi-sensor ASW Pod System (MAPS)
Navy SBIR FY2015.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2015.1
Topic No.: N151-058
Topic Title: Multi-sensor ASW Pod System (MAPS)
Proposal No.: N151-058-0734
Firm: Tethers Unlimited, Inc.
11711 N. Creek Pkwy S., Suite D113
Bothell, Washington 98011
Contact: Robert Hoyt
Phone: (425) 486-0100
Web Site: http://www.tethers.com
Abstract: The Multi-sensor ASW Pod System (MAPS) effort will develop an integrated system for vertical takeoff unmanned aerial vehicle anti-submarine warfare operations. MAPS will be composed of a podded system capable of conducting acoustic search operations, utilizing standard A-size sonobuoys and bathythermobuoys, and localized Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) final targeting operations, utilizing modern compact magnetometers. Development of MAPS system will provide the MQ-8C and similar rotary wing platforms with a single easily installed and removed mission store with both search and queued sensor capabilities. Integration of search and final targeting sensors into a single minimal SWaP system will enhance the capabilities of the MQ-8C by freeing a stores station for additional ASW mission stores such as air launched torpedoes. Tethers Unlimited Inc. (TUI) will leverage its ongoing efforts in the development of a minimal Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) towed MAD system for the MQ-8C Fire Scout integrating a sonobouy deployed to supplement existing MAD capabilities. In the proposed Phase I effort, TUI will develop a concept design for the MAPS system, detailing component technologies, interfaces, requirements, and concept of operations as well as determining high-fidelity SWaP, cost, and performance estimates.
Benefits: Our strategy for commercialization for the military market is to establish strong relationships with the prime contractors developing the MQ-8C Fire Scout (Northrop Grumman) as well as Tier-1 and Tier-2 UAV vendors such as InSitu early in the SBIR effort to explore cooperative arrangements in support of the development and testing of the Micro-MAD-Tow prototype and system. TUI already has a relationship with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems as a subcontractor on a government restricted space system flight experiment program, and we will leverage this connection as well as the contacts of our Navy sponsor to establish a relationship with their Fire Scout program. We estimate that the total market for a multi-functional ASW sensor system over the next decade is on the order of at least several dozen systems.

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