As anti-submarine warfare (ASW) technologies expanded rapidly during the Cold War, towed array systems such as Surveillance Towed Array Sonar System (SURTASS) were deployed with outstanding success at detecting submarines. Later TB-29(A) and TB-34 along with the Multi-Function Towed Array (MFTA) have further increased detection capabilities. This proposal aims to reduce the cost of hydrophone integration into the towed arrays and to complete a study on the optimal design and functionality of the hydrophone. A significant cost of towed arrays is derived from touch time for assembly of the towed array from the multiple components. To help reduce costs, a program which standardizes the components of the hydrophone and also reduces the needed assembly time will be implement with the design of the proposed hydrophone. The program objective is to integrate the ceramic elements with embedded electronics in order to provide a better solution for the Acoustic Channel Assembly (ACA) following the Open Architecture Telemetry standardization.
Benefit: Our transition approach for the current topic will be to deliver OAT-compatible hydrophones that can be integrated into the TB-29C and TB-34. The TB-29C is the future generation reliability improvement to the TB-29A. The TB-29C submarine thin-line towed array is a 416-channel commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) version of the legacy TB-29 towed array for Los Angeles- and Virginia-class attack submarines, with increased acoustic performance, improved combat control capabilities, replaced obsolete equipment and updated fiber optic communication system. The TB-29C submarine thin-line array is designed to reduce complexity, lower power, and improve robustness to withstand in-situ operations and stresses of handling systems. Its performance telemetry, acoustic sensors, and electronics are designed to provide a ubiquitous solution across the spectrum of submarine, surveillance, and unmanned towed arrays. In 2016, L3 Chesapeake Sciences was awarded a $46.5M contract for the first article TB-29C thin lined towed array system. This initial contract (N00024-16-C-6251) includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $238M. Follow on options were released in September 2017 ($17M) and in July 2018 ($27.6M) which is expected to support continued production through 2019. The TB-34 towed array is replacing the TB-16 legacy array and provides enhancements to towing, self-noise characteristics and improved fiber optic communications as compared to the TB-16. It provides more hydrophones than the TB-16 for future capability in passive sonar processing. The TB-34 towed array is one of several acoustic sensors that provide data, using fiber optic cables as a replacement to the coaxial cable, to the Acoustics-Rapid Commercial Off-the-Shelf Insertion (A-RCI) sonar system installed on U.S. fast-attack, ballistic missile, and cruise missile submarines. L3 Chesapeake Sciences received a $9.6M order for TB-34X towed systems on March 7, 2018 and is expected to complete delivery in April 2019.
Keywords: Acoustic Channel Assemblies, Acoustic Channel Assemblies, OAT, hydrophone, Embedded electronics
