(U) COST: (Dollars in Thousands)
| PROJECT NUMBER & TITLE | FY 1996 ACTUAL | FY 1997 ESTIMATE | FY 1998 ESTIMATE | FY 1999 ESTIMATE | FY 2000 ESTIMATE | FY 2001 ESTIMATE | FY 2002 ESTIMATE | FY 2003 ESTIMATE | TO COMPLETE |
TOTAL
PROGRAM |
| Mine Countermeasures, Mining and Special Warfare Technology Technology | 43,553 | 44,602 | 42,737 | 44,575 | 45,920 | 46,920 | 47,919 | 48,985 | CONT. | CONT. |
A. (U) MISSION DESCRIPTION AND BUDGET ITEM JUSTIFICATION: This Navy program element (PE) provides technologies for naval Mine Countermeasures (MCM), U.S. naval mines, Naval Special Warfare, and Department of Defense (DOD) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). It is strongly aligned with the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Warfighting Capabilities through the development of technologies to achieve military objectives (Power Projection from the Sea) with minimal casualties and collateral damage. The PE supports the Joint Littoral Warfare Mission Area by focusing on technologies that will provide the Naval Force with the capability to dominate the battlespace, project power from the sea, and support forces ashore with particular emphasis on rapid MCM operations. The MCM component concentrates on the development of technologies for clandestine minefield surveillance and reconnaissance, self-protection, minehunting, neutralization/breaching and clearance; the Mining component emphasizes offensive mining capabilities. The Special Warfare and EOD technology components concentrate on the development of technologies for near-shore mine/obstacle detection and clearance, mobility and survivability, as well as explosive ordnance disposal.
(U) Due to the sheer volume of efforts included in this PE, the programs described in the Accomplishments and Plans sections are representative selections of the work included in this PE.
(U) MCM Technology: Third-world nations have the capability to procure, stockpile and rapidly deploy all types of naval mines, including new generation mines having sophisticated performance characteristics, throughout the littoral battlespace. "Desert Storm" demonstrated the U.S. Navy's needs to counter the projected third-world mine threat. Advanced technologies are required to rapidly detect and neutralize all mine types, from deep water to the beach. This task has two major thrusts: (1) Mine/obstacle detection and (2) mine/obstacle neutralization. The detection thrust includes: remote sensing techniques to survey threat mining activities and mine/obstacle field locations; advanced acoustic/non-acoustic sensors and processing technologies for rapid minefield reconnaissance and determination of the location of individual mines and obstacles. The majority of these sensors and techniques will be demonstrated in FY 1997 and FY 1998 as part of the Joint Countermine Advanced Concepts Technology Demonstration (ACTD). The neutralization thrust includes influence sweeping technologies for influence minefield clearance, explosive and non-explosive technologies for surf zone (SZ) mine/obstacle field breaching, and advanced technologies to rapidly neutralize shallow water (SW) sea mines.
(U) Mine Technology: The need for improved mine technologies has diminished due to the reduced threat of the traditional modern submarines and surface ships. The elevated threats today are the third-world submarines and surface ships which may be encountered in the littoral waters of regional conflicts. Despite the diminished sophisticated threat, it is imperative that the US Navy maintain a broad-based and robust mining capability through advanced mine sensors, environmental characterization, and systems performance analysis technologies. Emphasis will be placed on potentially high payoff advanced sensors for target detection and discrimination and on low cost mine system concepts, including positive command/control mechanisms, with expanded weapon effectiveness for regional warfare.
(U) Special Warfare Technology: Naval Special Warfare (NSW) missions primarily support covert naval operations. The goal is to develop technology required to increase the combat range and effectiveness of Special Warfare units. A major current focus is to develop technologies to enhance the Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) mission of pre-invasion detection for clearance/avoidance of mines and obstacles in the very shallow water (VSW) and SZ approaches to the amphibious landing areas. Improvements to mission support equipment are needed to increase the probability of mission success, endurance and SEAL swimmer survivability.
(U) EOD Technology: Technology development for EOD needs addresses the DOD Joint Service and interagency responsibilities in EOD, including that required to counter and neutralize Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). The technologies developed are required for locating, rendering safe and disposing of Unexploded Explosive Ordnance (UXO). These operations typically occur in deep, poor-visibility water, in areas of high background noise, and in strategic operating areas contaminated by a variety of UXO. Advanced technologies are needed for gaining access to areas contaminated by sophisticated area-denial sensors and/or booby traps and for contending with WMD. These technologies are expected to transition to the Joint Service EOD Program, the Naval EOD Program or the DOD Technical Response Group.
(U) The Navy S&T program includes projects that focus on or have attributes that enhances the affordability of warfighting systems.
(U) JUSTIFICATION FOR BUDGET ACTIVITY: This program is budgeted within the APPLIED RESEARCH Budget Activity because it investigates technological advances with possible applications toward solution of specific Naval problems, short of a major development effort.
(U) PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS:
1. (U) FY 1996 ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
(U) ($21,037) MINE/OBSTACLE DETECTION:
- (U) Acoustic Sensors: Conducted VSW sea tests of low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) and assessed beamforming and motion compensation technology performance. Assessed effectiveness of the TVSS, with advanced beamforming, for wide-area mine detection/classification in shallow water.
- (U) Electro-Optic Sensors: Completed sea tests of a Laser Line Scan (LLS) prototype to identify sea mines in littoral waters. Investigated spectral imaging and analysis techniques for enhanced performance object classification and identification.
- (U) Electro-Magnetic Sensors: Completed thin-film superconducting gradiometer down-selection process and began fabrication of a field-deployable prototype sensor.
- (U) Image Processing and Classification Algorithms: Demonstrated acoustic image processing algorithms for more automated mine classification in conjunction with the SAS sea test. Evaluated effectiveness of using resonance signal processing algorithms (using acoustic backscatter returns from mines) for long range mine classification without imaging. Refined airborne laser based image processing algorithms for detection of anti-invasion minefields in high clutter surf/BZ environments, achieving further reduction in false alarm rates. Developed and evaluated algorithms which exploit multi-source data fusion methods to baseline the physics for submerged mine detection using remote imaging radar. Developed an artificial neural network target classifier for emulating a marine mammal's mine detection and classification capabilities.
(U) ($13,268) MINE/OBSTACLE NEUTRALIZATION:
- (U) SW Mine Neutralization: Investigated technology issues associated with targeting and fire control for the Rapid Airborne Mine Clearance System concept. Performed analysis of integrated target acquisition, fire control, gun, and anti-mine projectile performance. Conducted technical analysis regarding feasibility and effectiveness of creating focused underwater shock waves to implement standoff mine destruction. Investigated hydrodynamic issues and approaches for pressure influence mine sweep concepts.
- (U) SZ Mine Neutralization: Conducted mine vulnerability testing of tilt rod mines to establish kill criteria and developed analytical models to simulate effectiveness of systems against buried mines in wet sand. Conducted critical component and initial full scale, high velocity testing of Thunder Road concept, providing an alternative approach to delivery of distributed explosives which does not require a naval surface craft operating near the SZ.
- (U) Obstacle Breaching: Conducted tests of various penetrating warheads against concrete obstacles and established baseline damage rules. Developed damage rules for shock damage of steel and wood obstacles in SW. Performed initial concept investigations of proposed technologies including small autonomous crawling vehicles, precise bomb delivery, and bridging technologies.
(U) ($1,448) MINING:
- (U) Mine Sensors: Completed first phase of technology demonstration of acoustic and electro-magnetic sensors for Littoral Sea Mine (LSM) application. Initiated integrated acoustic, magnetic, electric and pressure LSM sensors data analysis. Tested advanced gradient influence sensor to determine the ability to detect targets in SW high wave noise environments.
- (U) Mine Support Technology: Developed high reliability underwater message transmission techniques for Remote Control (RECO) applications. Transitioned advanced neural network classification and mine control firing algorithms using fuzed influence sensor data to Mine Improvements program. Continued development of advanced LSM classification and fire control algorithms for detecting/localizing all surface targets, including fast patrol boats.
(U) ($7,800) SPECIAL WARFARE/EOD:
- (U) Mission Mobility Technology: Tested and demonstrated a 1/3-scale NSW high speed boat shock mitigation system; developed first-generation 2-Dimension strip theory planing boat dynamics model. Transitioned a solid state CO2 and oxygen sensor technology to the Program Management Support-EOD program. Conducted laboratory experimentation of porous/nonporous hollow fiber membranes for possible use for scrubbing CO2 from the breathing loop of closed circuit Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Explored power source/fuel technologies for low signature diver propulsion vehicle application. Conducted modeling/testing/evaluation of phase change materials for use in diver thermal protection.
- (U) Mission Support Technology: Evaluated feasibility of a portable multispectral reconnaissance imager for target (land mines, tanks, etc.) identification using an uncooled optical parametric amplifier laser. Conducted laboratory testing of prototype ultrashort range-gated UV laser/camera. Conducted a technology assessment of underwater adhesives and non-metallic attaching technologies.
- (U) Clearance of UXO: Demonstrated capability of four different concepts for small taskable robotic systems that will detect and gather UXO and also provide a capability to place charges for mine countermeasures.
- (U) Response to WMD Incidents: Demonstrated adaptive shielding technique to mask EOD technician from anti-intrusion sensors.
2. (U) FY 1997 PLAN:
(U) ($20,177) MINE/OBSTACLE DETECTION:
- (U) Acoustic Sensors: Complete sea testing of the Side-Looking Sonar (SLS). Demonstrate coordinated signal processing of both the SAS and electro-optic imaging sensor integrated into a small underwater towed vehicle. Based on analysis of at-sea tests, optimize the LF and HF SAS design for improved performance in shallow water.
- (U) Electro-Optic Sensors: Optimize electro-optic sensors based on analysis of at-sea performance. Conduct sea tests of next generation spectral imaging systems for power-efficient mine detection and identification.
- (U) Electro-Magnetic Sensors: Complete fabrication of field deployable superconducting gradiometer for the detection of buried mines. Conduct dock-side operability testing in small diameter underwater vehicle prior to at-sea tests.
- (U) Image Processing and Classification Algorithms: Conduct sea tests with integrated magnetic, SAS, and electro-optic sensors on an underwater platform in VSW to assess effectiveness of multi-sensor data fusion techniques. Demonstrate airborne image processing algorithms for detection of anti-invasion minefields in high clutter environments. Demonstrate capability to use multi-source data fusion algorithms to identify locations of obstacles and mines. Evaluate and demonstrate the performance of the artificial neural network target classifier for incorporation into acoustic response monitor which collects a mammal's mine detecting characteristic activities and correlates them with the location of a minefield.
(U) ($12,713) MINE/OBSTACLE NEUTRALIZATION:
- (U) SW Mine Neutralization: Conduct laboratory experiments to evaluate potential effectiveness of new mine destruction concept using focused underwater shock waves.
- (U) SZ Mine Neutralization: Validate multi-phase coupled code model for simulation of explosive shock propagation through wet sand and use results to update SZ mine neutralization analytical model. Update database of mine neutralization criteria (pressure, impulse, energy) for threat mines through testing and analysis. Complete full-scale testing of Thunder Road for deploying distributed explosive arrays. Conduct concept assessment of precision clearance and large bomb proposals.
- (U) Obstacle Breaching: Develop model of damage sustained by finite concrete obstacles when hit or penetrated by high velocity penetrating ordnance. Conduct testing to validate predicted performance enhancement of simultaneous and sequential detonation of bombs for obstacle clearance. Perform initial concept investigations of proposed technologies for enabling instride obstacle breaching.
(U) ($2,750) MINING:
- (U) Intelligent Mine Network: Develop and evaluate concepts for integrating mobile sea mines into fields of autonomous sensor nodes communicating via covert acoustic modems. These fields will be designated Deployable Autonomous Distributed Systems (DADS) and will leverage technology developed for littoral underwater surveillance. Weapon concepts for DADS will build on prior developments in the Submarine Launched Mobile Mine (SLMM) and the fixed LSM.
- (U) Mine Sensors: Complete analyses of data and publish final report from the first phase of LSM technology feasibility demonstration. Complete measurement of target advanced gradient signatures, complete theory and performance model development, and arrive at feasibility decision for continuing advanced gradient technology. Initiate work on sensors and signal processing for the DADS weapons concept.
- (U) Minefield Command and Control: Assess at sea reliable communications concepts between a ship and mine, providing Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) and RECO capabilities. Assess applicability of communication between mine nodes to achieve enhanced minefield effectiveness and flexibility in the form of Command/Control, sensors fusion, and minefield adaptability.
(U) ($8,210) SPECIAL WARFARE/EOD:
- (U) Mission Mobility Technology: Complete and transition high speed boat shock mitigation system. Prototype and transition CO2 membrane scrubber technology. Develop drive mechanism and propeller for low signature diver propulsion vehicle.
- (U) Mission Support Technology: Integrate and demonstrate prototype UV imaging system for mine identification. Prototype and evaluate ensemble containing phase change materials for passive diver thermal protection. Design and characterize optical parametric amplification laser for multispectral imaging.
- (U) Clearance of UXO: Conduct development of 2 kilowatt laser diode stack for the neutralization of surface unexploded ordnance. Initiate development of 10,000 element high frequency acoustic imaging array to provide centimeter resolution images in turbid water environment at a 20 frame per second rate. Complete experiments with time domain electro-magnetic induction and SQUID gradiometer techniques for detecting and classifying buried UXO. Apply model based neural network processing to the buried UXO sensor data to reduce false alarms and increase detection rate.
- (U) Response to WMD Incidents: Demonstrate a high velocity linear shaped charge for the disablement of the explosive firing train of a WMD.
- (U) ($752) Portion of extramural program applied to Small Business Innovative Research assessment in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 638.
3. (U) FY 1998 PLAN:
(U) ($21,137) MINE/OBSTACLE DETECTION:
- (U) Acoustic Sensors: Integrate TVSS, SLS, and SAS sensor modules into remote underwater sensor platform for Joint Countermine ACTD demonstration of sea mine detection, classification, and identification. Fabricate broadband sonar transmitter for SAS application to enhance Detection/Classification Probabilities and area search rate.
- (U) Electro-Optic Sensors: Complete sensor performance prediction model for optical mine detection system that includes the spectral characteristics of mine-like targets.
- (U) Electro-Magnetic Sensors: Continue effort in Low Temperature Critical(Tc) superconducting gradiometer physics to investigate motion-induced noise and radio frequency immunity and to improve sensor performance. Further develop High Tc fabrication technology to a level of maturity comparable to the Low Tc counterpart.
- (U) Image Processing and Classification Algorithms: Develop improved multi-sensor data fusion and compression techniques to provide real-time processing and data transmission from the remote underwater sensor platform to the "mother ship" for information assimilation and display. Demonstrate, as part of the Joint Countermine ACTD, capabilities and improvements to mine detection and classification through use of semi-automated multi-sensor fusion and processing.
(U) ($9,985) MINE/OBSTACLE NEUTRALIZATION:
- (U) SW Mine Neutralization: Develop design options to implement focused underwater shock wave generator for standoff mine neutralization. Transition development and testing of anti-mine projectile for the Rapid Airborne Mine Clearance System concept to an Advanced Technology Transition Project. Conduct testing and analysis of target acquisition, fire control, gun, and anti-mine projectile subsystem components, to predict integrated system performance.
- (U) SZ Mine Neutralization: Establish through precise tests and measurements the importance of relative flow between sand and mine-like targets on shock transmission and mine kill predictions in the SZ environment. Continue expanding database of mine neutralization criteria (pressure, impulse, energy) for threat mines through testing and analysis.
- (U) Obstacle Breaching: Develop an analytical model from parametric studies with the finite concrete model which will allow tradeoffs of warhead size, shape, and standoff required to defeat various target shapes and configurations. Improve obstacle clearance models by incorporating results of simultaneous and sequential detonation testing. Develop technologies required for precise standoff bomb delivery for mine and obstacle clearance.
(U) ($2,860) MINING:
- (U) Intelligent Mine Network: Develop DADS mobile shallow water mine (DADS-weapon) concept. Develop covert deployment concept based upon SLMM. Develop concepts for "restart" of deployed mobile mine for target attack, communications with DADS during target attack mode, and terminal guidance.
- (U) Mine Sensors: Develop guidance sensors and signal processing for DADS mobile shallow water mines.
- (U) Mine Field Command and Control: Develop concept for command and control of DADS weapons. Assess incorporating prior year developments of IFF and RECO into DADS. Develop concept for intra-field guidance of DADS weapon after launch using node and weapon sensors.
(U) ($8,755) SPECIAL WARFARE/EOD:
- (U) Mission Mobility Technology: Complete development of components of low signature diver propulsion system; integrate, test and evaluate prototype. Transition of technology for incorporating micro Phase Change Materials into dive suits for passive, thermal protection. Develop NSW life support equipment technologies. Options for life support equipment technologies include passive in-water chemical detectors, advanced CO2 scrubbing technology, diver internal monitoring/biofeedback, field oxygen supply technologies.
- (U) Mission Support Technology: Fabricate, evaluate and demonstrate prototype of passive multispectral optical parametric amplification laser imager. Conduct field tests of sensors for use in a diver-portable multi-sensor buried minehunter; develop algorithms to process and display signals. Transition clandestine ultrashort range gate laser technology for underwater obstacle localization/identification.
- (U) Clearance of UXO: Demonstrate a capability to determine the status of electronic safe and armed fuzes from a standoff distance due to unintentional or stimulated emissions from the firing train components. Demonstrate a small, autonomous, untethered underwater vehicle controls and sensors for identification of naval threats hosted on a composite vehicle built by Lockheed-Martin under Independent Research & Development funding.
4. (U) FY 1999 PLAN:
(U) ($20,489) MINE/OBSTACLE DETECTION:
- (U) Acoustic Sensors: Demonstrate and evaluate the combined effectiveness of the TVSS, SLS, and SAS systems for detection, classification, and identification of sea mines, as a part of the Joint Countermine ACTD. Incorporate and conduct at-sea performance trials of the newly fabricated broadband SAS transmitter.
- (U) Electro-Optic Sensors: Initiate development of scene classification algorithms based on target optical properties. Begin feasibility studies to define the characteristics of an advanced electro-optic identification sensor that measures the spectral properties of mine-like objects and the surrounding scene.
- (U) Electro-Magnetic Sensors: Develop High Tc superconducting gradiometer for field demonstration by mid-1999.
- (U) Image Processing and Classification Algorithms: Assess effectiveness of multi-sensor data fusion techniques used for Joint Countermine ACTD and initiate development of improvements indicated by the assessment. Initiate broadband acoustic signal processing techniques for SAS application to provide improved beamforming, increased target image resolution, and extended sonar range. Initiate adaptive processing techniques sensitive to maintaining high detection/classification probabilities under adverse environmental conditions.
(U) ($12,300) MINE/OBSTACLE NEUTRALIZATION:
- (U) SW Mine Neutralization: Select generator design option and establish full-scale test for demonstration of focused underwater shock wave mine neutralization.
- (U) SZ Mine Neutralization: Expand mine vulnerability data base to include neutralization criteria for recently developed threat mines with potential for use in the SZ and beach environments. Investigate innovative concepts for energetic neutralization of SZ mines.
- (U) Obstacle Breaching: Determine effects of directed energy warheads against light/medium obstacles in water and air. Investigate innovative concepts for clearance or burial of SZ obstacles.
(U) ($2,975) MINING:
- (U) Intelligent Mine Network: Develop hardware/software to demonstrate feasibility of DADS-weapon concept.
- (U) Mine Sensors: Test guidance sensors and signal processing for DADS-weapon in the laboratory.
- (U) Mine Field Command and Control: Test concept for command and control of DADS weapon through simulation.
- (U) Shallow Water Bottom Mines: Assess application of sensors and command and control concepts developed in prior years to SW bottom mines.
(U) ($8,811) SPECIAL WARFARE/EOD:
- (U) Mission Mobility Technology: Transition low signature diver propulsion technology. Develop NSW signature reduction technologies. Continue development of NSW life support equipment technologies.
- (U) Mission Support Technology: Integrate sensors into a diver-portable multi-sensor buried minehunter prototype and evaluate/demonstrate under realistic field conditions. Transition multispectral optical parametric amplification laser imaging technology. Develop advanced portable real-time intelligence/sensor/marker technologies. Options for intelligence/sensor technology developments include passive millimeter wave sensor, Infrared polarimetry, sonar classification using echo back scatter, sensor fusion/processing, etc.
- (U) Clearance of UXO: Investigate the use of broad band transmissions to jam or neutralize the electronic components of electronic safe and armed fuzes. Expand the inverse scattering sensing capability of time domain electro-magnetic induction sensors to allow identification of individual buried UXO. Demonstrate a 10,000 element acoustic array that provides a 1 centimeter resolution image of an underwater target at 20 frames per second.
- (U) Response to WMD incidents: Perform testing of a catalyst/sensor array technique for the detection and localization of a WMD in a marine environment.
B. (U) PROGRAM CHANGE SUMMARY:
FY 1996 FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
(U) FY 1997 President's Budget: 46,894 40,534 42,885 48,988
(U) Adjustments from FY 1997 PRESBUDG: -3,341 +4,068 -148 -4,413
(U) FY 1998/1999 President's Budget Submission: 43,553 44,602 42,737 44,575
(U) CHANGE SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
(U) Funding: FY 1996 change resulted in a reductions for the Jordanian F-16 financing rescission (-54); from Transfer of SBIR funds (-2,055); and actual execution (-1,232). The FY 1997 increase resulted from Congressional plus-up for Lithium Battery Technology (+6,000); and from Congressional Undistributed Reductions (-1,932). The FY 1998 decrease are due to NWCF and minor adjustments (-40); and from inflation adjustment (-108). The FY 1999 reductions resulted in NWCF and minor adjustments (-247); and transferred from this PE to Advanced Technology Demonstrations P.E. (-4,000) to fund higher Navy priorities; and from inflation adjustment (-166).
(U) Schedule: Not applicable.
(U) Technical: Not Applicable.
C. (U) OTHER PROGRAM FUNDING SUMMARY: Not applicable.
(U) RELATED RDT&E:
(U) This program has strong ties to the PE's listed below:
(U) PE 0601153N (Defense Research Sciences)
(U) PE 0602131M (Marine Corps Landing Force Technology)
(U) PE 0602233N (Readiness, Training and Environmental Quality Tech)
(U) PE 0602314N (Undersea Warfare Surveillance Technology)
(U) PE 0602435N (Oceanographic and Atmospheric Technology)
(U) PE 0602633N (Undersea Warfare Weapons Technology)
(U) PE 0603502N (Undersea Warfare and MCM Development)
(U) PE 0603555N (Sea Control and Littoral Warfare Technology Demonstration)
(U) PE 0603654N (Joint Service EOD Development)
(U) PE 0604654N (Joint Service EOD Development)
(U) PE 1160401BB (Special Operation Technology Development)
(U) PE 1160402BB (Special Operation Advanced Technology Development)
(U) PE 0603782N (Mine and Expeditionary Warfare Advanced Technology)
(U) This program adheres to Tri-Service Reliance Agreements on EOD with coordination provided by the Joint Directors of Laboratories.
D. (U) SCHEDULE PROFILE: Not applicable.