Oceanographic HF radar for use in austere locations
Abstract
Abstract This proposal seeks funds to fabricate three, rapidly relocatable High Frequency (HF) radar surface current mapping systems for oceanographic research in remote and austere locations. The systems will be environmentally packaged to withstand all weather conditions, powered by an off-grid renewable energy system, and provided with redundant satellite communications (SATCOMS). Funds are also sought to procure a high-resolution multibeam sonar capable of being operated from small boats to map the seafloor to depths of 200m. The requested equipment will be used as part of ONR’s Flow Encountering Abrupt Topography (FLEAT) Department Research Initiative (DRI). In this program, the systems will be deployed in the western tropical Pacific to study interactions between steep topography and the surrounding oceanography. In particular, studies of the interaction of the North Equatorial Current with ridge and island topography; wind driven circulation as it approaches barrier reefs from the offshore, propagation of coastal trapped waves around islands and atoll/barrier reef systems; island-scale circulation and their boundary layers, and topographic interactions with barotropic and baroclinic tides. The HF radar will be used to generate time-series maps of the circulation and the multibeam sonar will be used to generate high resolution bathymetric maps of topography over which the circulation flows at the study sites. This instrumentation suite benefits the Navy as the studies in which the instrumentation will be used will improve the validation of operational forecast models to support the Naval Oceanographic Office and will develop and demonstrate tools for rapid seabed mapping that is of interest to the Fleet Survey Team. Furthermore, improved forecast skill of surface currents will improve mine-drift tactical decision aides; a general interest of the Naval Mine and Anti- Submarine Command (NMAWC).
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512860
Entities
People
- Eric Terrill
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California, San Diego