Submarine-Deployable Weather Sensor Navy SBIR FY2015.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2015.1 Topic No.: N151-038 Topic Title: Submarine-Deployable Weather Sensor Proposal No.: N151-038-0218 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation 1845 West 205th Street Torrance, California 90501-1510 Contact: Jeffrey Norell Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: www.poc.com Abstract: To address the Navy's need for an innovative, low cost approach to collect real-time surface weather data for submergible vessels, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Submarine-Deployable Weather Sensor (SDWS) based on a new design that integrates POC's miniature weather sensor electronics with proven deployable buoy systems. Specifically, the innovation in POC's compact and robust weather sensor design integrated through novel packaging within a mature deployable buoy architecture will enable a low-cost, small sensing device that will accurately measure weather parameters above the ocean's surface after deployment at depth. As a result, the SDWS will offer the ability to obtain real-time, highly accurate meteorological data to submergible vessels and meet the Navy's need to provide timely and valuable data to support mission-critical planning. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of SDWS by integrating and packaging a basic sensor buoy prototype that can be deployed from underwater and accurately collect weather data. In Phase II, POC plans to optimize the design and implement features that allow for sensor deployment at submarine diving depths and to design sensor communication that interfaces with existing submarine capabilities, all in a low-cost package. Benefits: The proposed submarine deployable weather sensor (SDWS) will bring to market a low-cost, compact sensing device that can accurately measure meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) data. Governmental, commercial, and nonprofit organizations will benefit from SDWS by having the ability to perform ocean-based weather forecasting, enhanced navigation, air pollution monitoring, air quality control, security, and surveillance with a single, integrated, relatively low-cost sensing device. Military applications of the SDWS will include both short and long-term real-time ocean weather monitoring, improving sea vessel and aircraft navigational safety, situational awareness, and potential monitoring of the ocean environment for bio-chemical and radiological hazards. Return