US To Trial New Submarine Comms Buoy

Since 08-07-05

Excerpt from NSL UPDATE 06-27-05

By Richard Scott, Jane's Defense Weekly Amsterdam --

The US Navy (USN) is set to begin trials next year of a novel two-way communications buoy for submarines developed by a UK

 industry team led by Ultra Electronics Sonar and Communications Systems. Known as the Recoverable Tethered Optical-Fibre (RTOF), the new buoy is being developed by Ultra, together with partners QinetiQ and Strachan & Henshaw, under a two-year US/UK Technology Demonstrator Programme  (TDP).

The system has been identified as a key potential enabler for the USN's Communications at Speed and Depth Programme

 Royal Navy's equivalent Effective Task Force Communications Requirement.

Both programmes are addressing requirements to better integrate the submarine into a network-enabled environment and so allow the exchange of tactical and targeting information between force and submarine commanders. Currently submarines must slow down and come to periscope depth to communicate at high data rates, taking them off task and making them more vulnerable to detection.

The RTOF system deploys a 450 mm diameter buoyant body, connected to the submarine by a high bandwidth fibre-optic tether paid out at close to zero tension, which surfaces rapidly and then remains stationary on the surface while the submarine maintains speed and depth unhindered. When required, the RTOF buoy can be rapidly and discretely recovered leaving no wake or plume.

The RTOF buoy system is due for delivery to the USN in March 2006 following completion of system integration and in-water test activities in the UK.

Testing aboard a USN submarine is expected to start in mid-2006. Ultra is programme manager and systems integrator and is also responsible for aspects of hydrodynamic performance and the antenna payload. Strachan & Henshaw is responsible for outboard system aspects while QinetiQ is providing the handling system drive and control equipment.

For the purposes of the TDP, the RTOF payload will comprise a UHF (240 MHz-320 MHz) internet protocol-capable satellite communications payload, GPS and a radar warner device.

However, Ultra is also examining super high frequency and extra high frequency payloads. In addition, the RTOF concept could be extended to the deployment of intelligence and surveillance sensors, such as visual and imaging optronics, or electronic support measures.