Summary of the Maritime Force Protection Technology Demonstration Project Underwater Threats Component Build 1 Trial

摘要

The Maritime Force Protection Technology Demonstration Project (MFP TDP) is on-going at DRDC Atlantic with the objective of providing advice to the CF on force protection issues by examining requirements, state-of-the-art solutions and capability gaps, while conducting a series of tests and evaluations on developmental and COTS equipment. The Underwater Threats (UW) Component focuses on addressing deficiencies in current CF capabilities for countering underwater threats to Canadian ships in harbours and anchorages. The UW Component program is designed as a series of three Builds, each including a trial, incorporating incremental improvements using a spiral development approach. The first Build trial was completed at CFB Shearwater, Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic), in October 2008. This was the first field test of an integrated capability that includes a QinetiQ Cerberus diver detection sonar (DDS) purchased as part of the project, and a response boat outfitted with a tactical navigation display and high frequency identification sonar for investigating targets tracked by the DDS. A major accomplishment during the trial was achievement of complete detect-to-reacquire sequences where a target was tracked by the DDS, the track location was transferred to the response boat tactical display via wireless network, and that target was reacquired with the response boat identification sonar. During exercises with divers, an underwater loud hailer was deployed after contact acquisition, a warning was issued and diver response observed. A comprehensive acoustic environmental data set was obtained during the trial which will allow further development of a DDS performance prediction tool which is also a component of the integrated capability under development.