Unclassified – Distribution Statement A – Approved for Public Release
Acceleration of the MK 18 Mod 2 to the Fleet May 2012
Unclassified
Distribution Statement A – APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Unclassified – Distribution Statement A – Approved for Public Release
Expeditionary UUVs
User Operational Evaluation System (UOES)
The UUV Platoons have played a key role in the evaluation of the prototype system through the User Operational Evaluation System (UOES) strategy. The goal has been to integrate off‐the‐shelf subsystems and proven technology.
• UOES evaluations have yielded needed information on tactical approaches best suited for small, early generation UUVs. • The UOES also aided in characterizing system reliability and hardware vulnerabilities in advance of the competitive procurement. • MK 18 Mod 1 UUV UOES commenced in June 2001.
•
– Both east and west coast NECC units participated in the Mod 1 UOES evolutions
•
MK 18 Mod 2 UOES began in January 2010 and continues today.
– Mk 18 Mod 2 UOES concentrate on west coast
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
2
Unclassified – Distribution Statement A – Approved for Public Release
Expeditionary UUVs UOES
Challenges and Lessons Learned
•
A UOES Methodology Can Reduce Program Risk –
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Challenges
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The devil is always in the details (i.e. transformational v. legacy and development of TT&P)
Compliments SECNAVINST 5000.2 does not replace it
Early and sustained end user engagement
Sift through “DESIREMENTS” ‐ arrive at valid REQUIREMENTS (pre/post MS B‐in a Program of Record)
Develops a cadre of “informed users”
Changing operators and operational leaders
Diversions from pre‐conceived solutions
Funding limitations
Accommodating PERSTEMPO and “other” priorities
Lessons Learned
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Framing expectations is key (i.e. emergent operational capability v. complete /validated DOTMLPF);
Memoranda of Agreements are central to UOES/RCT&E •
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Seasoned TECHREPS ensure continuity and documentation Structured UOES and RDT&E test plans
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Operational Command/Program Office leadership buy‐in
Fleet & Program Office responsibilities during UOES/other T&E efforts. Objectives and Metrics
Resources (e.g. facilities, personnel, test sites, events, etc.)
Documentation (test results and CONOPS)
Refresher briefs and training to accommodate turnover
Leadership Champions, Fleet Engagement, Focused Technology Applications
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
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Unclassified – Distribution Statement A – Approved for Public Release
MK 18 Mod 1 Swordfish UUV
Mission: Search, Classify, Map (SCM) the Very Shallow Water (VSW) Region (10‐40 ft) Based on Hydroid REMUS 100 (Man Portable)
Dimensions: 7‐1/2” diameter, 5’‐3” long / Weight: 83 lbs in air
Operating Depth: 3m‐ 100m
Sensors: Dual Frequency Side Look Sonar (SLS)
Conductivity & Temperature Sensor
Communications: Long baseline (LBL) Acoustic (via Ranger)
Digital Ultra Short Baseline (D‐USBL)
Block B adds: WiFi, Iridium, & Freewave Radio Modem (via Gateway Buoy)
Navigation: Up/Down looking Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP)
Doppler Velocity Log (DVL)
Kearfott Inertial Navigation Unit (INS)
Compass
Fielded Units:
P‐code GPS
EOD Mobile Unit 1 San Diego, CA : 4 Systems (12 Block A Vehicles)
Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 (MDSU‐2), Norfolk, VA: 1 System (3 Block A Vehicles)
Naval Oceanographic and Mine Warfare Command (NOMWC), Stennis, MS: 3 Systems (9 Block B vehicles)
Unclassified – Distribution Statement A – Approved for Public Release
MK 18 Mod 2 Kingfish UUV
Provides: Increased Area Coverage Rate (ACR) , Increased Endurance, Platform for Advanced Sensors
Based on Hydroid REMUS 600 (Lightweight)
Dimensions: 12‐3/4” diameter, 11‐1/2’ long / Weight: 600 lbs in air
Operating Depth: 5m‐300m (Search to 3 m)
Sensors: Dynamic Focus Side Look Sonar (SLS) Neil Brown Conductivity & Temperature Sensor (CT)
WET Labs Beam Attenuation Meter (BAM) Optical Sensor
Imagenex 852 Pencil Beam Sonar (Obstacle Avoidance)
WET Labs ECO FLNTU (Fluorometer & Turbidity measurement)
Communications: Long baseline (LBL) Acoustic (via Ranger)
WiFi
Iridium
Freewave Radio Modem (via Gateway Buoy)
Navigation:
Up/Down looking Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP)
Doppler Velocity Log (DVL)
Kearfott Inertial Navigation Unit (INS)
Compass
P‐code GPS
Fielded Units:
EOD Mobile Unit 1 (EODMU‐1) San Diego, CA: 2 Vehicles undergoing User Operational Evaluation (UOES)
Unclassified – Distribution Statement A – Approved for Public Release
MK 18 Family of Systems (FoS)
MK 18 Mod 2 Kingfish
MK 18 Mod 1 Swordfish
MK 18 Mod 2 Kingfish in SSAM Configuration
Small Synthetic Aperture Sonar Module (SSAM)
Provides Wider Swath, Higher Resolution Imagery, Buried Target Detection
Field Reconfigurable from MK 18 Mod 2 Kingfish
Dimensions : 12‐3/4” diameter (no change), 14’‐8” long Weight: 698 lbs in air
(Add 3’‐2” & 98 lbs)
Operating Depth: 5m‐300m
Configuration
Remove: Edgetech Payload
BAM/VCR Wet Payload
Forward Battery Tray Add: SSAM Module
Tri‐fin Nose
Change: Lifting Bracket Sensors: 2nd Generation Dual Frequency Small Synthetic Aperture Sonar Module (SSAM2) Low Frequency 10‐50 kHz (Buried Detection)
High Frequency 150‐210 kHz (Detect and Classify)
HF image
LF image
Current & Planned Fielding of Expeditionary UUV Systems through the FYDP Block A PIP Fielded:
• R-I Sensor (DF SLS)
• Navigation upgrade
• User interface improvements
Summary
• Nine (9) man-portable UUV systems at three
operational units (3-vehicles/system) :
Block B PIP in Production:
• Standoff comms
• Upgraded user interfaces
CRRC ‐Deployable MK 18 Mod 1 Swordfish
(Man ‐Portable UUV)
7.5 inch diameter Weight: <100 pounds in air
- Three (3) for VSW MCM missions;
- Six (6) for MHD applications at three (3) operational
units
Block A PIP UOES:
• Improved Area Coverage
• RHIB-integration
• Multiple lightweight, multi-UUV system for
MCM missions (3 vehicles/system)
MK 18 MOD 2
(11-Meter RHIB-Compatible, Lightweight UUV)
- Expeditionary SW MCM missions;
- Expeditionary VSW MCM missions;
- Maritime Homeland Defense missions;
12.75 inch diameter
Weight: < 800 lbs in air
Block B PIP in Process:
• Buried Detect/Localize
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
7
Expeditionary UUVs - The Future
MK 18 Mod 2 Product Improvement Planning Timeline
MK 18 Mod 2 UUV System (Kingfish)
FY10
FY11
FY12 FY13
FY14
FY15
FY16
FY17
FY18 FY19 FY20
MK 18‐2/A
MK 18‐2B
MK 18‐2C
MK 18‐2/D
BLOCK B CAPABILITY GOALS
Improved Pd/Pc and ACR
Baseline buried detect/localize
Reduced men in minefield Reduced total mission time
BLOCK A CAPABILITY GOALS
Improved ACR/Endurance
Increased standoff
Reduced men in minefield
Advanced sensor platform
Material Solutions
• 12.75 inch platform
•Dynamic Focus SLS • RHIB Launch/Recovery Material Solutions
• Small Synthetic Aperture Minehunting Sonar (SAS)
•Enhanced PMA/COIN V2 attributes
KEY
BLOCK C & D CAPABILITY GOALS
Improved Pd/Pc and Pid
(Proud and Buried)
Reduced FAR
Improved ACR
Reduced Total Mission Time
Increased power/endurance
Improved UUV reliability
Tentative Material Solutions
• Fwd Look Sensor(s) • Non imaging sensors (e.g., acoustic color, mag, etc.)
•Hovering Modules • Net cutter Retrofits/Procurements •COIN V2 ++
•Autonomy processor • Algorithms Operational Systems
(e.g. FBN, OAS)
•CAD/CAC, ATR
PECP T&E
FOT&E
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: APPROVED FOR
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ECP Decision
PUBLIC RELEASE
Ongoing S&T for Future Capabilities for MK 18 Mod 1 and 2
Mine‐Like Mag Sig?
Analytical Data Stored
Objective: Develop/demonstrate gradiometer on man‐
portable UUV to co‐register magnetic anomalies with detected target imagery
Objective: Develop/demonstrate chemical (explosives) sensor for diver‐based and ROV‐/UUV‐ based sensor suites for close in investigation of previously detected/localized targets.
Rapid Innovation Fund Proposal
being considered by ONR for
funding a multi-axis variant by
Sky Research
TNT?
Explosives?
Warfighter Benefit – reduced false alarms, improved target classification and IDI Probabilities. Objective: Improve energy sources to aid in accommodating power‐hungry sensors and sensor processing on lightweight class UUV systems.
Objective: Incorporate power management electronics for improved performance and power management solutions on man‐portable and lightweight UUVs. Warfighter Benefit – Improved endurance; reduced total mission time.
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: APPROVED FOR
PUBLIC RELEASE
9
Ongoing S&T for Future Capabilities
Objective: Evaluate autonomy and automatic target recognition tools developed for military and gas‐oil for adaptive mission planning solutions and improved mission performance. Warfighter Benefit ‐ Increased availability & mission success; Reduced mission time for single & multiple vehicle sorties; Reduced human error/training requirements Description:
Autonomy for Sensor & Vehicle Management
• System Software architecture to manage multiple (high data rate) sensors
• Autonomous obstacle avoidance and confined area navigation
• High‐level mission controller for automated mission re‐planning, task de‐
confliction and sensor queuing
ATLAS FLS
Integrated FLS/SAS Payload
• 12.75” UUV with integrated ATLAS FLS for mapping and mine detection and SSAM III SAS for mine hunting
Automated Change Detection & Sensor Fusion
• Robust, automated change detection based on coherent SAS
• Production of geo‐registered data products including bathymetric maps, mine detections, clutter, and navigation obstacles/features
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Combination of an underwater mapping/ volume mine detection sonar and advanced bottom mine hunting system, incorporating the capabilities of a high performance forward‐look sonar (FLS) and a high resolution dual frequency synthetic aperture side‐scan sonar (SSAM). Warfighter Payoff
Provides single pass bathymetry, obstacle avoidance, and an effective autonomous mine D&C capability against near surface, volume, proud, and buried mines in confined or highly obstructed areas such as rivers, ports, and 10
harbors.
Proposed FY 12 New Start Defense Acquisition Challenge Program
A MCM Data Transmission & Salvage Tag Capability
Capability Need
•Fleet requires reduced Post Mission Analysis
(PMA) time during counter-mine operations from
their MK18 UUV.
•Integrating a remote data exfitration system into
the MK18 has the potential for decreasing PMA
time by 1/2 to1/3.;
•A capability for a salvage tag for a lost or
incapacitated MK18 is also desired.
Operational and Performance Capability
• DACP submission made by etc-wireless and Arete
Associates
• Will be integrated into the MK-18 Mod 1 or 2 UUV
platform(s)
• MCM data or vehicle location data to be transmitted
during remote operations
• Data such as GPS coordinates and/or data in the 10’s
of kbytes
• Ultimately desire to move technology towards full LineOf-Sight high data exfiltration
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Summary
• We continue to learn and evolve UUV‐based capabilities into the fleet today, through leveraging:
– Prioritization from fleet commaders
– Evolving TT&P from experienced users;
– Enabling S&T lead from ONR.
• Reduced risk to transiting forces and reducing the tactical timeline continue to be the overarching metrics that drive the way ahead in fielding unmanned systems in the USN fleet.
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
BACK UPS
Expeditionary UUVs - The Future
MK 18 Mod 1 UUV System Product Improvement Planning Timeline
MK 18 Mod 1 UUV System (Swordfish)
MK 18‐1 Baseline
MK 18‐1/A
FY10
FY11
FY12 FY13
FY14
FY15
FY16
FY17
FY18 FY19 FY20
(Fielded in FY 2007)
(Completed in FY 2010)
MK 18‐1/B
MK 18‐1/C
MK 18‐1/D
BLOCK A CAPABILITIES
Improved Pd/Pc and Pid
User interface upgrades
Baseline‐free precision navigation.
Standoff Communications
Material Solutions
Improved Navigation CLA
• Dual Freq SLS
• Inertial Navigation System
Improved user interface
• 32 Bit Processor KEY
10/7/2011
Retrofits/Procurements
Operational Systems
PECP T&E
FOT&E
ECP Decision
Material Solutions
• Deep water transponders
•COIN V1.1 and Laptops
•Wireless UUV RF •RF/ACOMMS deckbox
Improved Pc and Pid
Reduced False Alarm Rate
Reduced mission time
Improved UUV reliability
Increased power/endurance
Tentative Material Solutions
• Non imaging sensors • Fwd Look Sensor(s) (e.g., chem, mag, etc.)
•Hovering Modules • Net cutter •COIN V2++ • Algorithms •Autonomy processor
(e.g. FBN, OAS)
•CAD/CAC, ATR
DISTRIBUTION A – APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
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