New Ocean Sensing Systems for R/V Roger Revelle (AGOR 24)
Abstract
We propose to upgrade and improve the sensing capability aboard the ONR Global Class research vessel Roger Revelle (AGOR 24) during the ship s upcoming midlife refit by installing scientific instrumentation that ONR-supported researchers need to meet their current and future research goals. Specifically, we request funds a) to procure and install a Kongsberg HiPAP acoustic underwater navigation system, b) to procure and install a Kongsberg-Simrad EK80 midwater imaging sonar, and c) to procure and install a seawater carbon dioxide measuring instrument. Together, these instruments will be integrated into the vessel s system of sensors that image, measure, track objects and characterize the water beneath and around the vessel.The proposed system of instruments will strongly benefit a broad number of current and anticipated ONR research programs. ONR experiments involve moorings, free-swimming vehicles, over-the side instruments, and near-bottom cabled instruments. Recently-completed and ongoing examples include ASIAEX, NLIWI, ITOP, QPE, PhilEx, IWISE, ASIRI, FLEAT, PISTON and MISO-BOB, with similar needs anticipated for future DRIs. To conduct these operations, information is often required about objects in the water beneath and around the vessel. The HiPAP system will be able to track multiple targets, including autonomous underwater vehicles, remote underwater vehicles, drifters, towed sonars, water profilers, and other cabled and free-swimming objects. The midwater imaging sonar uses multiple frequencies to quantitatively estimate the biomass of organisms for several hundred meters through the water column and differentiate major groups of fishes and other organisms based on signal characteristics. The proposed instrument system will strongly benefit the educational missions of SIO and ONR, by its routine use during SIO class deployments, student-led projects supported by the UC Ship Funds Program, and ONR-supported educational projects such as In the footsteps of Roger Revelle.The timing of this request is intended to coincide with the upcoming midlife refit of Roger Revelle, during which we intend to install a gondola that will house the ship???s acoustic transducers to improve sonar performance. The gondola we intend to install will house the five transducers for the EK80 midwater imaging system, as well as most of the ship???s other acoustic sensors. The HiPAP system requires the installation of a retractable stem upon which the transducer head is installed, and installation of the machinery included in this unit requires significant modification to the hull. The pCO2 system requires integration into the ship???s uncontaminated seawater system, with additional inputs from the meteorological sensor suite and reference gas samples. Each of these components requires significant design, engineering and installation effort that can only be conducted during a drydocking. In addition, by undertaking these important upgrades during the midlife refit shipyard, we will be able to take advantage of significant cost and production efficiencies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 10, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141812387
Entities
People
- Bruce Appelgate
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California, San Diego