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FEBRUARY 27, 17:19 EST
ARLINGTON, Va. -- U.S. Navy scientists are asking industry for ideas on how to find and destroy land mines located in shallow beachfront waters using unmanned surface vehicles -- otherwise know as USVs.
Navy experts say they would like to develop mine-hunting USVs that Navy or Marine Corps personnel can operate from Navy amphibious warfare ships. These unmanned mine hunters would help prepare the way for Marines and Navy fighters to make land invasions from the sea.
This initiative is part of the Organic Mine Countermeasures Future Naval Capability (OMCM FNC) program at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in Arlington, Va. ONR officials seek ideas from industry in white papers or in full proposals. Concepts should integrate with existing or developing small-boat counter-mine systems on Navy amphibious ships.
Proposals should involve:
1) integration of an influence minesweeping payload into an unmanned surface vehicle;
2) integration of a mine reconnaissance payload into the vehicle;
3) two technology demonstrations, each conducted under fleet operational conditions, hosted aboard an amphibious warship, and preceded by a preliminary sea test; and
4) performance of a fleet integration study such as an investigation of unmanned surface vehicle and counter-mine payload technologies, alternatives, and recommendations for integration with the fleet.
Proposals should emphasize mine reconnaissance and influence minesweeping from a small host ship-compatible USV, as well as approaches for designing small counter-mine systems that require few people to operate.
Technology demonstrations to show compatibility with amphibious warfare ships during fleet operational conditions are to be in 2003 and 2005.
Navy officials will make available a 36-foot rigid-hull inflatable boat with rudimentary onboard remote control hardware, line of sight RF link, and PC-based ground control station for development and demonstration.
The maximum length of an award will be for three years, Navy officials say. Direct questions to the Office of Naval Research, Attention Brian Glance (Code 252), by phone at 703-696-2596, or by post at Room 720, Ballston Towers One, 800 N. Quincy St., Arlington, Va. 22217-5660. Information regarding technical matters is available at http://www.onr.navy.mil/02/baa/baa_02_010.
White papers are due by 4 p.m. on April 4, 2002. Full proposals are due by 4 p.m., May 31, 2002. Send White papers and full proposals to the Office of Naval Research, USV-MCM BAA, ONR Code 32MIW, BCT-2, Room 607, 801 North Randolph Street, Arlington, Va. 22203.
The format for full proposals will be posted on the World Wide Web at http://www.onr.navy.mil/02/baa/baa_02_010 around April 4, 2002.
For more information contact the ONR on the World Wide Web at http://www.onr.navy.mil/02/baa/baa_02_010.
Military & Aerospace Electronics
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