SBIR-STTR Award

The proposed study will analyze the current Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) Launch and Recovery System (LARS) for modification to launch and recover both the NGC AN/AQS24B and Raytheon AN/AQS20A sonar bodies. The launch platform will be the Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV). The modifications proposed in the study will be analyzed using modeling and simulation of the system in operation. The developed solution will be proposed with data supporting the feasibility of producing the development unit for functional in-water testing in various configurations. In focusing on the modification of the proven monorail/tilt frame LARS from nose tow Q24 to support the mid-body tow configuration of the Q20, specific attention will be given to the center of gravity location of the assembly. Management of the center of gravity will keep the vessel stable during stowed rapid transit where forces seen in the LARS mechanism are typically higher than those in the towed configuration. Specific attention to the positive capture of the tow body will be taken to ensure the tow body is safely secured during upward loading. The concept design will focus on retaining the tow fish by the constant tension method. Constant tension method utilizes the main tow winch to retain the tow body in the capture device by maintaining tension in the tow cable during stowage and transit. The current Q20 configuration uses a mechanical capture method. Elimination of mechanical capture reduces the complexity and serviceability of the capture device. If during the analysis of the monorail/tilt frame configuration of the currently proven nose tow LARS to support mid-body tow staff arrangement proves to be unfeasible, an A-frame gantry configuration will be performed. The Q20 is currently fielded with a gantry configuration. Fairlead will perform a study in developing a gantry system that will launch and recover a nose tow unit. A material study will be performed during the analysis to ensure material availability and ensure simple lifecycle maintenance. Efforts will be taken during concept creation that design considerations and lessons learned from previous launch and recovery build efforts are incorporated to prevent difficulties discovered during the build evolutions of previous units. During development of the concept, care shall be taken to minimize specialty materials and make use of industry available solutions in lieu of developing specialty items to solve challenges that have an industry available solution.

Benefit:
Fairleads solution for a common deploy and retrieve system will give the United States Navy greater flexibility in future procurement options and throughout its lifecycle, will provide cost savings unparalleled to the current sonar systems currently in use by the Fleet. We feel our design will have a cost-savings impact to Fleet Operations and Maintenance, Material Supply Chain, and Manpower and Personnel Training Requirements due the streamlining of the deploy, stream, tow, retrieve, and stow towed systems. We believe our solution could be installed on every Air, Surface, Subsurface, and Unmanned platform that has an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) or Mine Hunting (MH) mission requirement which drives the market need.

Keywords:
Unmanned, Unmanned, AN/AQS24 and AN/AQS20, towed body systems, Sonar, Deploy and Retrieve (D&R), universal, Launch and Recovery System (LARS), CUSV

During the Phase II study, Fairlead will continue analyzing the main tow winch solution. The concept presented at the conclusion of Phase I allows the base system in its original configuration to launch and recover the Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) AN/AQS24B and the Raytheon AN/AQS20A sonar bodies. Fairlead will refine the LARS modifications developed in Phase I by incorporating comments and additional design features discovered during the Phase I study. After refinement of the modifications, Fairlead will develop a Technical Data Package (TDP) to support the construction of a prototype that will be utilized for functional testing and final proof of concept demonstrations. Fairlead’s plan is to reach Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR) milestones during the Phase II Base period. This period will conclude with a finalized design that is ready for release to the production floor. The Phase II Option I period will focus on the fabrication of a prototype unit. The prototype unit will then be tested both on land and in water during the Phase II Option II period. Using the Northrop Grumman system as a basis of design, it was noted that the center of gravity of the system will need to be calculated to determine its effect on the vessel. The Longitudinal Center of Gravity (LCG) from Phase I is located outside of the prescribed minimum values per the Interface Control Documents (ICD) for the vessel. The LCG will need to be analyzed by the vessel manufacturer to ensure that stability during operations is possible. The LCG may vary during the design modifications. If the LCG moves, those variables will be incorporated in the final deck loading analysis. During Phase I, it was noted that the design needs to incorporate a method to align the tow cable to the Capture Boom. Fairlead intends to use the original Capture Boom design’s alignment feature to modify the concept design to align the components during capture operations. Fairlead predicts modifications will only need to occur to the Tow Cable Capture Paw and possibly the Constant Tension Lock Collar. This will help expedite the final design and analysis before the TDP is created. The material study conducted on the modifications developed for the NGC system have been incorporated into the Phase I final product. Any additional components developed during the Phase II activities will use materials that are readily available and suitable to saltwater immersion and operation. Lessons learned from Phase I and prior LARS development will be incorporated into the final product from Phase II efforts. Phase II will conclude with the delivery of a functional prototype that will operate in the MHP-20 and 24 packages.