N101-049 TITLE: Self Powered, Submarine Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (SEPIRB)

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Advanced Undersea Systems; Submarine Escape, Survivability & Rescue

OBJECTIVE: Development of an energy-harvesting emergency distress beacon for submarine use utilizing cutting edge technology that supports a programmable, pressure-proof, self power-generating unit that transmits on a frequency capable of being received by the COSPAS/SARSAT Satellite System.

DESCRIPTION: An energy-harvesting, self-powered emergency distress beacon is required to transmit GPS coordinates of a disabled submarine (surfaced or bottomed) via the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system such that rescue forces can be activated to the datum location for rescue operations. The desire is for the self-powered beacon to be programmable by submarine survivors to send a situation report (SITREP) with vital information on the condition of the crew and submarine that will be used to help in the rescue. This programming capability to meet existing satellite BIT structure changes in the future. In order to be qualified for submarine use, the beacons must be pressure-proofed to 3000 fsw in accordance with P-9290 requirements (reference 3). The beacon should be capable of being deployed from a 76.2 or 101.6 mm (with adapter sleeve) signal ejector, or manually released via an emergency escape trunk. All preventative and corrective maintenance should be easily conducted by depot level repair facilities.

The beacons must able to maintain activation and provide GPS coordinates to the watch floors for a minimum of 48 hours. Any batteries designed for use in the beacon must be approved for submarine use and should provide no more than 25% of total power output. These batteries should provide minimum deployed shelf life of ten years prior to requiring replacement.

In addition, the beacons should be capable of being used by NATO allies in both size and circuitry.

PHASE I: Conceptual studies with design and drawings of options for the self powered emergency distress beacon. These studies would include the capability of meeting the energy generation and power output requirements via energy harvesting technology.

PHASE II: Development of a minimum of 2 scaled prototype units for evaluation within a controlled environment. This evaluation will include pressure testing to 3000 feet sea water and power output testing to ensure it provides sufficient energy in order to maintain activation and GPS signal acquisition for 48 hours. The concept proofing of these parameters will allow entry into the Phase III qualification and first article testing.

PHASE III: Upon successful completion of the Phase II effort the program office anticipates working with the firm and its manufacturers in order to procure a full scale prototype for real world testing within its intended environment. Once the R&D efforts have been completed the program office anticipates purchasing units for use within the Navy.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The development of a self-powered beacon could be used worldwide for all maritime and civilian purposes where an emergency positioning beacon would be desired or utilized.

REFERENCES:
1. http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/Beacons/BeaconReports/T-1630SRT%20Buoy%20Radio%20Transmitting%20SEPIRB.pdf

2. http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Military-Communications/SEPIRB-T-1630-SRT-expendable-submarine-launched-emergency-beacon-United-States.html

3. NAVSEA SS800-AG-MAN-010/P-9290, Revision A, ACN, System Certification Procedures and Criteria Manual for Deep Submergence Systems.

4. Photo of current SEPIRB, uploaded in SITIS 12/15/09.

KEYWORDS: submarine, emergency distress, beacon, search and rescue

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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