Here is some info which I have read/come across-please feel free if you have more to add:
In April 2009, we were awarded a $22,000 purchase order from Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPT). We have teamed with OPT and Rutgers University to develop and test the Littoral Expeditionary Autonomous Power Buoy system for the US Navy’s NUWC Keyport Program Office. The LEAP system is designed for persistent littoral surveillance applications, and combines the OPT PowerBuoy technology with advanced multistatic radar and data fusion capabilities originally developed at Rutgers. Mikros will provide system architecture, design and integration support for the program.
Scroll down and read 10Q:
sec.gov
Below is a brief description of certain of the material projects we are working on at this time.
Adaptive Diagnostic Electronic Portable Testset (ADEPT®)
Originally designated as the Multiple Function Distributed Test and Analysis Tool (MFDAT), the Adaptive Diagnostic Electronic Programmable Test-Set (ADEPT®) began as a SBIR investigation in 2002. Additional ADEPT development was completed through a series of SBIR grants and contracts. ADEPT is an automated maintenance workstation designed to significantly reduce the man-hours required to align the AN/SPY-1 Radar System aboard U.S. Navy AEGIS cruisers and destroyers, while optimizing system performance and readiness. ADEPT represents a new approach to Navy shipboard maintenance, integrating modular instrumentation cards in a rugged enclosure with an onboard computer, input and output devices, networking hardware, removable hard drives, and a touch screen display. A custom software application provides the user interface and integrates the hardware with a database that stores user information, instrument readings, maintenance requirements, and training aids. ADEPT is designed to be adapted to other complex shipboard systems, and to provide integrated distance support capabilities for remote diagnostics and troubleshooting by shore-based Navy experts.
Key anticipated benefits of ADEPT include:
· Significant reduction in system calibration, alignment, maintenance, and repair times;
· Improved system readiness, availability, and performance;
· More effective use of technical manpower through increased automation, distance support, and interactive training;
· Distance support capable enabling “expert” remote (shore-based) system support and fleet-wide system analysis;
· Reduction in the amount of electronic test equipment required for organizational level support; and
· Modular and programmable to overcome current test equipment obsolescence issues and to support capability enhancements in future systems.
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ADEPT is being provided to the Navy’s Cruisers (CGs) and Destroyers (DDGs), through the US Navy’s Cruiser and Destroyer modernization program. On September 29, 2008, we were awarded an $800,000 modification to our contract with NSWCPHD for eight ADEPT LRIP units and additional logistics development work. The logistics effort includes development of fielding support and calibration plans required for widespread use of ADEPT aboard U.S. Navy ships. In April 2009, we received a $450,000 contract award for four ADEPT V2 systems which are scheduled for delivery to the USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) and the USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) by the end of 2009.
The goal of this program is to obtain a multi-year Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract for production, engineering, and logistics support. We anticipate this contract award and additional orders for ADEPT equipment in the third quarter of 2009. It should be noted that contracting with the Federal Government is a lengthy and complex process and that many factors could materialize that would negatively impact our ability to secure this contract and future ADEPT orders.
Wireless Local Area Network Systems
Since June 2004, we have been working with the Office of Naval Research regarding emerging Wireless Local Area Network systems (WLANs) and DoD radar systems to, among other things, evaluate and quantify the potential improvements which may be afforded by selected mitigation techniques. We continue to perform contracts in connection with this project and are working closely with engineers from the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD), located in China Lake, California. NAWCWD, a division of Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), is responsible for "Arming the Fleet". The technical objective of this effort is to develop simulation models that can be used to predict the performance of data links in a jamming environment.
Radar Wireless Spectral Efficiency (RWSE)
Since May 2006, we have been involved in research and development under the SBIR topic entitled RWSE which is focused on the real world implications of incorporating wireless networking into the aircraft carrier (CVN platform) environment. The overall technical objective is to facilitate the introduction of commercial wireless communication systems, e.g. Wi-Fi, onto U.S. Navy ships through the: (1) identification and testing of potential own-ship electromagnetic interference (EMI) issues; (2) development and testing of viable mitigation technologies to overcome adverse EMI effects; and (3) development of a CVN Wi-Fi network planning tool to support networking within a highly reconfigurable shipboard environment. This project was initially for the CVN platform, but is expected to eventually be applicable to other U.S. Navy ships.
Our engineers have performed Wi-Fi propagation surveys aboard the aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73), the amphibious assault ship USS BATAAN (LHD-5), and the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS KEARSARGE (LHD-3). This project has evolved to include the development of AIRchitect - EMC, a software package which allows the Navy to plan and optimize deployment of shipboard WiFi networks, with our team partner Mobilisa Inc. AIRchitect - EMC is designed to place shipboard Access Points to optimize coverage based on user-specified wireless requirements and analyze potential interference between network equipment and onboard RF systems such as radars, and where possible, mitigate interference using smart placement and channel selection algorithms. AIRchitect - EMC is expected to be used by the Navy to plan network deployments on aircraft carriers (CVNs) and other platforms.
Additional Contracts and Recent Developments
In October 2007, we were awarded an SBIR Phase I contract through SPAWAR. This $100,000 effort titled “Small Buoy for Energy Harvesting” will collaborate in the design and development of a miniaturized, self-powered ocean buoy which can be deployed at sea for extended periods to support various on-board payload packages, such as network communications nodes. This communication package is designed to allow submarines to communicate with the Battle Group while operating at speed and depth. This contract was structured as a base effort worth $70,000, and an option worth $30,000. The option was exercised on October 30, 2008, and we are pursuing an SBIR Phase II follow-on contract with this customer. If awarded, we could receive $750,000 or more to further develop this technology.
In February 2009, we were awarded a $68,000 production support contract on the Navy’s Next Generation Command and Control Processor (NGC2P) program by Northrop Grumman Corporation. The NGC2P system is a tactical data link (TDL) communications processor which provides warfighters with critical real-time information during combat operations. We anticipate future work with Northrop Grumman in areas associated with our expertise in electronic systems development and wireless technologies.
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In February 2009, we were awarded a $9,991 subcontract from Gnostech, Inc of Warminster, Pennsylvania for engineering services in support of Gnostech’s program "GPS Scenario Development and Test Support for both Electronic Protection and Electronic Attack Threat Environment".
In April 2009, we were awarded a $22,000 purchase order from Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPT). We have teamed with OPT and Rutgers University to develop and test the Littoral Expeditionary Autonomous Power Buoy system for the US Navy’s NUWC Keyport Program Office. The LEAP system is designed for persistent littoral surveillance applications, and combines the OPT PowerBuoy technology with advanced multistatic radar and data fusion capabilities originally developed at Rutgers. Mikros will provide system architecture, design and integration support for the program.
In May 2009, we were awarded a $45,000 contract by the Navy to continue wireless network design studies for the new CVN-78 aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. This program is a follow-on to work we performed in 2008 on network modeling and simulation for the Navy's PMW 750 Carrier Integration group.
In June 2009, we were awarded a $225,000 contract by DRS C3 Systems of Gaithersburg, MD for the interface definition of distance support applications for the Common Digital Sensor Architecture (CDSA) program. The CDSA Program will provide a common computing platform for above water sensors and will reduce the knowledge and skills required to operate and maintain the sensor systems, as well as improve the quality, quantity, and compatibility of collected field data. Sharing of sensor data using existing and planned US Navy distance support technologies is a key element for successful. This work is an extension of the distance support experience Mikros gained under Adaptive Diagnostic Electronic Portable Testset (ADEPT) development contracts with the US Navy. |
