Underwater mateable fiber optic connectors available today are derivatives of underwater electrical connectors and as such are both complex and expensive. SEA CON0 proposes to develop a low cost underwater mateable fiber optic connector through a three team design process that includes extensive physical, optical and cost modeling to evaluate each design option. After performance and cost models are used to compare the three candidates the last stage of the design evaluation will include an FMECA to MIL-STD 1629. A final design will be chosen, possibly integrating features of preliminary designs. From this integrated design a prototype will be fabricated and testing at the assembly and full article level begun. SEA CON4s team member, TRI/Austin, will be conducting accelerated life tests at both the assembly and full article level to insure that the design can meet the 20 year life requirement. SEA CONe and TRI/Austin have over 40 years aggregate experience developing and evaluating underwater connectors. They have pledged to continue life testing after completion of Phase I at no cost to the Navy. A notional design is provided in the proposal to illustrate the design/model/re- design/test philosophy which will make this Phase I project succeed.
