DARPA issues RFI for technologies for ACTUV programme

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for its Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) programme.

The RFI covers current technologies that could help ACTUV and future unmanned surface vessels perceive and classify nearby ships and other objects. This will help the programme comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). The programme aims to develop a new unmanned surface vessel to independently track ultra-quiet diesel-electric submarines over thousands of miles.

At present, ACTUV’s system for vessel sensing is based on radar, which is less suitable for classifying the type of vessels being detected. The RFI aims to identify technologies that could help augment ACTUV’s sensing and classifying capability and reduce reliance on radar as its primary sensor.

DARPA is specifically interested in sensor systems and image-processing hardware and software that use passive (electro-optical/infrared) or non-radar active (such as light detection and ranging) approaches. Its goal is to develop on-board systems to detect and track nearby surface vessels and potential navigation hazards, classify those objects’ characteristics and provide input to ACTUV’s autonomy software to facilitate correct COLREGs behaviour.

Scott Littlefield, programme manager, DARPA, said: ‘We’re looking for test-ready, multi-sensor approaches that push the boundaries of today’s automated sensing systems for unmanned surface vessels.

‘Enhancing the ability of these kinds of vessels to sense their environment in all weather and traffic conditions, day or night, would significantly advance our ability to conduct a range of military missions.’
The RFI invites short responses exploring some or all of the following technical areas: maritime perception sensors, maritime perception software and classification software for day shapes/navigation lights.

Responses are due by 28 April 2015.

DARPA signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Office of Naval Research to jointly fund an extended test phase of an ACTUV prototype in September 2014. Pending the results of those tests, the programme could transition to the US Navy in 2018 for use in anti-submarine warfare and possibly as a multipurpose unmanned ‘truck’ for dirty, dull or dangerous missions, such as mine countermeasures.