Navmar to integrate target-identification and oceanographic sensors

LAKEHURST, N.J., 24 June 2005. U.S. Navy officials are sponsoring a program to fit manned and unmanned surveillance aircraft with portable surveillance and remote target-identification systems, as well as with time-critical oceanographic and environmental monitoring sensors.

Experts at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, N.J., awarded Navmar Applied Sciences Corp. in Chester, Pa., a $14.6 million phase III Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract June 23 to continue research work in these areas. The contract number is N68335-05-D-0020.

Navmar scientists are moving ahead with their work completed under previous SBIR contracts under the Topic N92-170 Laser Radar Identification Demonstration program, and under the Topic N94-178 Air Deployable Expendable Multi-Parameter Environmental Probe program.

Topic N92-170 technology has matured into technology for portable surveillance and remote target-identification systems, and topic N94-178 technology can provide oceanographic and environmental monitoring sensors in time-critical situations, Navy officials say.

During the most recent phase III part of the program, Navmar experts will address a totally integrated system approach, which includes modifying maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft with intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and enhanced communications packages.

Company experts also will address applying this technology to medium- and long-endurance unmanned air vehicles with re-configurable payloads. For more information contact Navmar online at www.navmar.com.