19 June 2001
BATTLESPACE ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERIZATION WITH RMSO
M. Harris
B. Bourgeois
Naval Research Laboratory
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-5004
Abstract
Environmental information in the Littoral Battle Space can be used to gain tactical advantage in Mine Warfare, Amphibious Warfare and Special Warfare Missions, Environmental measurements and derived information of interest in the littoral include swath bathymetry, acoustic imagery of the seafloor, current profiles, salinity, hazards to navigation, temperature, bioluminescence, wave heights, water clarity, seafloor bottom types and mine burial potential, and wind information. NRL is developing the Remote Minehunting System, Oceanographic Variant, (RMSO) as a technology option for the Navy. The vehicle will be able to collect and radio transmit measurement information to a host vessel. The initial sensor suite will provide swath bathymetry, seafloor acoustic imagery, wave conditions, water temperature and salinity. Several other sensors have been demonstrated on the prototype Oceanographic Remotely Controlled Automaton (ORCA) including a seafloor sediment classification system, and current profiler which can be added to the RMSO vehicle. Future meteorological and water optical sensors installations are also achievable. This paper briefly describes RMSOs initial sensor suite and potential future sensors as a technology option to characterize the Littoral Battle Space Environment.
Sponsored by the Oceanographer of the Navy via SPAWAR PMW 185.
Published in
Mine Lines Proceedings, Third International Technical Symposium Technology and
The Mine Problem, Monterey, April 6, 1998.
Naval Research Laboratory Contribution Number NRL/PP/7440 98-0003.
Conference Proceedings