Chapter 7. International Cooperation
C.1. Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (UUVs)
C.1.3. Man-Portable UUVs
C.1.3.1. MK 18 MOD 1 (SWORDFISH) Search-Classify-Map (S-C-M) UUV User Service: Naval Special Clearance Team ONE (NSCT ONE)/EOD
Manufacturer: Hydroid, LLC
Inventory: 3 Systems Delivered (NSCT ONE)/6 Systems Planned (EOD) Status: NPOR
Background: The MK 18 MOD 1 SWORDFISH is part of the “toolbox approach” to equipping NSCT ONE and EOD forces. It is capable of performing low-visible exploration and reconnaissance in support of amphibious landing, MCM operations, and hydrographic mapping in the very shallow water (VSW) zone (10 to 40 feet of seawater (FSW)) and the seaward approaches. It is small (two-person portable), has a low unit cost (so that
inadvertent loss is not mission-catastrophic), and is deliverable via multiple platforms. The production decision was reached 27 July 2005. IOC was reached in January 2007 following first article test in December 2006. Full
operational capability was reached in May 2007, following delivery of the second and third of three systems to NSCT ONE. Additional systems will be used to establish a preliminary operational capability and for evaluation of Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) supportability at EOD units. It is capable of navigating via acoustic transponders in long-baseline or ultra-short-baseline mode or via P-coded GPS. Upward- and downward-looking acoustic digital velocity log improves dead-reckoning accuracy. Onboard sensors include water turbidity, water temperature and conductivity, side-scan sonar, and downward-looking camera.
Characteristics:
MK 18 MOD 1
Vehicle Size 7.5 in diameter × 62 in long Operating Depth 10–40 FSW (300 ft maximum) Vehicle Weight 94 lb maximum Energy Source 1 kWh Li-ion battery Vehicle Buoyancy Adjustable 0–45 ppt Delivery Platform Various small boats Propulsion Type Electric motor/propeller Frequency (acoustic) 900 kHz sonar, 1200 kHz DVL Data Link RS-232/USB/Ethernet
Performance:
Contact Localization Accuracy 49 ft
Probability of Detecting and Classifying Mines as Mine-like 0.80 @ A-1 Bottom Probability of Detecting and Classifying Non-mine-like as Mine-like 0.20 @ A-1 Bottom
Reliability 0.80
Interoperability 100% of top-level IERs designated critical
C.1.3.2. Reacquisition-Identification (R-I) UUV User Service: NSCT ONE/EOD
Manufacturer: Hydroid, LLC
Inventory: 0 Systems Delivered/3 Systems Planned Status: NPOR
Background: Potentially a variant of the MK 18 MOD 1 (SWORDFISH), the R-I UUV will be modified to provide higher resolution imagery than the SWORDFISH system currently fielded for the S-C-M mission. The R-I UUV will provide the capability to perform mine reacquisition, limited area search, and mine identification to a high level of confidence, in support of amphibious landing, MCM operations, and hydrographic mapping in the VSW zone (10 to 40 FSW). The system will remain a small, two-person portable vehicle with relatively low cost so that inadvertent loss is not mission-catastrophic. The R-I UUV will be interoperable with the S-C-M UUV, MK 8 Marine Mammal System, and Underwater Imaging System. Formal mine warfare tactics to address non-optic-based mine identification will be developed. A new generation dual-frequency (900/1800 kHz) side-scan sonar is being evaluated for potential to reach R-I capability. A production decision is anticipated for fourth quarter FY2007 with IOC planned for first quarter FY2009 and full operational capability anticipated for second quarter FY2009.
Characteristics:
R-I UUV
Vehicle Size 7.5 in diameter × 62 in long Operating Depth 10–40 FSW Vehicle Weight 94 lb (2-person portable) Energy Source Li-polymer battery Vehicle Buoyancy Adjustable 0–45 ppt Delivery Platform Various small boats
Propulsion Type Electric motor/propeller Frequency (acoustic) TBD900/1800 kHz sonar 1200 kHz DVL Data Link RS-232/USB/Ethernet
Performance:
Probability of Reacquiring and Identifying Mines ≥ 0.85 @ A-1 Bottom Probability of Identifying Mines as Mines and Non-mines as Non-mines ≥ 0.80 @ A-1 Bottom Probability of Detecting and Classifying Non-mine-like as Mine-like ≤ 0.2 @ A-1 Bottom
Reliability 0.90 (80% confidence factor)
Interoperability 100% of top-level IERs designated critical
C.1.3.3. Bottom UUV Localization System (BULS) User Service: EOD
Manufacturer: Hydroid, LLC (preliminary operational capability system) and TBD (IOC/FOC system) Inventory: 0 Production Systems Delivered/6 Production Systems Planned
Status: NPOR
Background: BULS is part of the “toolbox approach” to equipping EOD forces via spiral development of UUVs.
It will be capable of detecting and localizing threat objects on the seafloor of harbors and open areas and will support MCM operations from 10 to 300 feet. The system is small (two-person portable) with a low unit cost so that inadvertent loss is not mission-catastrophic. It will be deployable via multiple platforms and from shore. The program is leveraging a previous, limited-deployment capability UUV and the S-C-M UUV program, and it has provided UOES to two operational units for use in tactics development and requirements and in specification refinement. Two MK 18 MOD 1 (SWORDFISH) systems (perhaps upgraded from the current configuration) will be fielded in fourth quarter FY2007 to establish a preliminary operational capability at NSCT ONE and MDSU TWO. An additional MK 18 MOD 1 will be provided to EODMU EIGHT in second quarter FY2008 as an OCONUS UOES to evaluate overseas basing issues. Current UOES configuration includes dual-frequency side-scan sonar, enhanced navigation [GPS, INS, ultra-short baseline (USBL)], low-light CCD camera, and enhanced ACOMMs. IOC is anticipated in second quarter FY2009, and full operational capability is anticipated for first quarter FY2011. Future spirals are envisioned to support more complex capabilities, such as detailed intelligence gathering and chemical and biological detection.
Characteristics (latest UOES configuration):
BULS
Vehicle Size 7.5 in diameter × 62 in long Operating Depth 10–300 ft Vehicle Weight 94 lb maximum Energy Source 1 kWh Li-ion battery Vehicle Buoyancy Adjustable 0–45 ppt Delivery Platform Various small boats Propulsion Type Electric motor/propeller Frequency (acoustic) 900/1800 kHz sonar, 1200 kHz DVL Data Link RS-232/USB/Ethernet
Performance:
Contact Localization Accuracy ≤ 20 m
Probability of Detection/Classification ≥ 0.75 (MK 81 size & >), A-1 Bottom
Reliability 0.85 w/ 80% confidence factor
ACR 0.04 nm2/hr
Net Ready 100% of interfaces designated as critical in BULS integrated architecture
C.1.3.4. Hull UUV Localization System (HULS) User Service: Navy
Manufacturer: TBD
Inventory: 0 Systems Delivered/7–15 Systems Planned Status: NPOR
Background: HULS will be a relatively low-cost, two-person portable system with a small shipboard logistic footprint and will be capable of being deployed and recovered from a small boat and from shore. The program will leverage a previous Defense Acquisition Challenge Program and limited-deployment capability effort as well as developmental programs by NAVAIR and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division. The purpose of HULS is to decrease the operational timeline and reduce personnel hazards associated with searching ship hulls, piers, pilings, and other underwater structures. It will be interoperable with the diver hull inspection navigation system. A competitive acquisition of a prototype first-generation system is currently in process. IOC is planned for FY2012. A spiral acquisition process for successively adding capability is planned over ensuing years. Long-term, end-state capability is envisioned to support both search and in-situ neutralization of limpet mines and underwater IEDs.
Characteristics (anticipated IOC system):
HULS
Vehicle Size TBD Operating Depth Surface to 200 ft Vehicle Weight 100 lb maximum Energy Source TBD
Vehicle Displacement TBD Delivery Platform Various small boats and shore
Propulsion Type TBD Frequency (acoustic) TBD
Data Link TBD
Performance (anticipated IOC system):
Probability of Detection ≥ 0.85 @ 80% confidence (9 in diameter × 4.5 in high cylinder) Probability of Classification/Identification ≥ 0.85 @ 80% confidence (9 in diameter × 4.5 in high cylinder)
Contact Localization Accuracy 3 ft SEP
Hull Search Rate 398 ft2/min
Reliability 0.90 @ 80% confidence
Availability 90%
Maintainability 5 hr MCMTOMF
C.1.3.5. Defense Acquisition Challenge Program (DACP) – VSW Neutralization 1st Generation – UUV – Neutralization (UUV-N)
User Service: Navy
Manufacturer: Atlas Elektronik Inventory: TBD
Status: NPOR
Background: This effort is intended to field unmanned systems to support the MCM mission at NSCT ONE in order to get the warfighter out of the minefield and to reacquire and neutralize previously identified mines in the VSW zone. Tactical integration will be achieved with the S-C-M and R-I UUVs. Concept employs a guided small torpedo design with directed energy shape charge neutralizer; reacquisition using forward-looking sonar; and closed-circuit television camera for target prosecution and firing decision. The DACP effort will adapt an airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) neutralizer from current inventory for deployment from a small boat. Far-term NSCT ONE requirement for extended station keeping, standoff command detonation, and autonomous neutralization will affect ability to use common neutralizer form factor to meet the end-state requirement. An integrated technology development strategy will be initiated between PMS-EOD, PMS 495, and ONR to address this issue. IOC is anticipated during third quarter FY2016.
Characteristics (DACP system):
UUV-N
System Size TBD Operating Depth 10–40 FSW
System Weight TBD (2-person portable) Energy Source Li-polymer battery Vehicle Buoyancy TBD Delivery Platform Various small boat Propulsion Type Electric motor/propeller Frequency (acoustic) 675/975 kHz sonar Data Link Fiber optic tether
Performance:
Neutralization Effectiveness 0.72 Availability 0.85
Reliability 0.90 Target Types Bottom influence mines CRRC Deployment
Craft
Torpedo GPS transit
Positive identification &
neutralization solution obtained with sensors
•Neutralize 4 bottom contacts per sortie in 10 to 40 ft
•Deploy IAW CATF intentions, all detonations completed by H-2