Mikros wins contract to create sensor degradation systems in UUVs

The Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded a contract to Mikros Systems to develop an in-stride sensor degradation solution for unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) platforms.

The contract was awarded under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programme for USV and UUV autonomous behaviour development.

Mikros will develop a Sensor In-stride Diagnostic, Correction, and Confidence Component (SID3C) under a $150,000 delivery order. The solution will be able to monitor shipboard sensors.

SID3C will be installed in current and future USV and UUV platforms to detect sensor degradation and fix those that are recoverable.

The technology will also support autonomous systems in filtering unreliable sensor data.

Mikros Systems senior systems engineer and SID3C programme manager Corey Friedenberger said: “The navy’s call for in-stride sensor degradation solutions aligns well with our AN/SYM-3 heritage on LCS.

“This Phase I award is an exciting opportunity for us to grow our capabilities with machine learning technology and support the future of autonomous vehicles.”

The company will demonstrate a ‘limited scale system’ to the navy under the Phase I project.

Potential applications include advancing the navy’s unmanned platforms with improved sensor data.

Mikros expects to combine its existing technologies with machine learning to deliver near-real-time problem detection and correction capabilities.

The solution could be integrated into a wide range of naval vehicles, including Large Displacement Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (LDUUV), Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV), Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MUSV), and Large Unmanned Surface Vessel (LUSV).

Mikros Systems CEO Tom Meany said: “We see multiple future applications for this new technology across navy and other DOD applications.”