Acoustic Search Sensors

The Acoustic Search Sensors program, funded under Program Element (PE) 0604261N, is a critical component of the U.S. Navy's Air Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) mission. Its overarching goal is to maintain maritime superiority against peer and near-peer threats by advancing the engineering development, operational testing, and evaluation of acoustic search sensors and complementary equipment for ASW aircraft, primarily the P-8A platform. The program is funded under the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) budget activity, indicating that projects have passed Milestone B and are focused on engineering and manufacturing development tasks to meet validated requirements prior to full-rate production.

ASW Sensors & Proc (Project 0480) is the largest line item within this program, with objectives centered on the development and deployment of both passive and active air ASW sensor systems. The project aims to enhance the Navy's ability to cue, search, detect, localize, track, and attack subsurface targets, especially in environments where adversary submarines are quieter and harder to detect. Key efforts include the Multistatic Active Coherent Enhancements (MAC-E), which integrates advanced sensor capabilities into the P-8A Acoustic Operating Flight Program (AOFP) and mission suite, as well as the UnderSea Advantage (USA) initiative, which introduces incremental improvements in multistatic sensor systems through a block-based approach. The project also funds the Advanced Product Build (APB) program, which incorporates mature technologies from ONR, SBIR, and UARC into the ASW processing baseline, focusing on automation, clutter reduction, and improved operator interfaces.

High Altitude ASW (Project 3224) supports the development of Key Enablers and Sonobuoy Enhancements (KESE) to increase operational flexibility and effectiveness for the P-8A and other ASW platforms. The objectives include improving uplink/downlink sonobuoy communications, over-the-horizon (OTH) acoustic communications, digitization, and cyber protection. The project also integrates these enhancements into AOFP software and the Tactical Open Missions System (TOMS).

Planned activities for FY 2025 and FY 2026 involve maturing software development, integrating and testing acoustic communications (ACOMMS), and demonstrating prototype improvements in sonobuoy link assurance. These advancements are intended to enable reliable two-way communication between sonobuoys, aircraft, and submarines, thereby enhancing the ASW kill chain.

Congressional Adds (Project 9999) provided a targeted increase in FY 2024 for sonobuoy modernization focused on high altitude anti-submarine warfare. The objective of this add was to accelerate the modernization of sonobuoy capabilities to support evolving operational requirements, particularly for high-altitude deployment scenarios. Funding was allocated for primary hardware development, studies and analysis, and government engineering support, with contract awards scheduled for FY 2025 and modernization activities extending into FY 2026.

Across all projects, the program emphasizes rapid capability insertion and continuous improvement through system qualification tests, fleet release software development, and operator training. The APB System Qualification Test and Air ASW Engineering Measurement Program (AAEMP) collect operational performance data to identify areas for improvement and ensure that new capabilities are effectively transitioned to the fleet.

Training for new sensor capabilities is provided to both test and operational aircrew, ensuring readiness and effective use of advanced ASW technologies. The acquisition strategy for the Acoustic Search Sensors program leverages engineering change proposals (ECPs), competitive contracting, and integration of government-developed software and waveforms. Key industry partners include Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Ultra Maritime, and various other vendors, with significant involvement from the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) at Patuxent River, MD. The program also aligns with executive orders on government efficiency and workforce optimization, as reflected in budget adjustments for advisory services and civilian personnel.