Adaptive Methods develops SHARC tow system

Wednesday, 06 June 2007 22:28

Adaptive Methods Sensor Systems Division has successfully developed and demonstrated a stabilization and entanglement resistant tow system for multi-line towed arrays.  As a result of SBIR Phase 1 and Phase 2 development efforts the SURTASS Headline and Roll Control (SHARC) system is undergoing full scale model testing on a SURTASS T-AGOS deployment in June.  This system development not only marks a significant advancement in SURTASS multi-line array towing performance but also highlights Adaptive Methods mechanical systems development capabilities.

The SHARC system originally conceived by Mr. Walt Allensworth Sensor Systems Division Director and Mr. Jim Wiggins Mechanical Systems Lead as prototypes for the Phase 1 proposal has evolved to exceed all entanglement requirements through scale model testing at the Carderock Model Basin.  Full scale prototypes have been instrumented and towed at the Model Basin and Lake Anna, VA for stability assessment and 1/10 scale models have been tested for fish net entanglement assessments with extremely positive results.  When compared to the current Paravane tow system which failed all entanglement tests the SHARC (after minor 1/10 scale model corrections) successfully passed all fish net entanglement scenarios.  This performance would suggest a significant reduction in entanglements is possible since fish net entanglements happen up to several occurrences per mission with the Paravane tow system.  The SHARC will save the Navy requisite time and expensive spare materials usage onboard the tow platforms.

On very short notice of T-AGOS availability Mr. Wiggins and Mr. Conrad Zeglin have been preparing a full scale prototype to potentially demonstrate the SHARC performance towing the Navy's SURTASS Twinline array in an area notorious for fish net entanglements.  Following successful demonstration Adaptive Methods anticipates being asked to go into production of the SHARC system for the SURTASS program.