Forward deployed sensor system
US20250355113A1
Abstract
The present disclosure relates generally to a forward deployed sensor system and, in specific implementations, a forward deployed radar (FDR) system. The forward deployed sensor system includes a radar system and may also include other types of sensors such as optical sensors, acoustic sensors including sonar, and electromagnetic sensors. Further, the forward deployed sensor system may also include a communication system such as a full spectrum receiver/transmitter, a ship to ship relay transponder, a satellite communication system, and global positioning system (GPS) capability. The forward deployed sensor system is able to detect objects in the air, on the sea, and underwater, and communicate such detection to a ship, submarine, aircraft, satellite, or other remote location. Such systems may be used to augment the protection of shipping lanes by military or security forces to allow for peaceful commerce and utility of the sea by all nations.
Description (excerpt)
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/094,629 filed on Jan. 9, 2023, entitled “FORWARD DEPLOYED SENSOR SYSTEM,” and now U.S. Pat. No. 12,352,848, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/301,164 filed on Jan. 20, 2022, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT The invention described herein was made in the performance of official duties by employees of the Department of the Navy and may be manufactured, used and licensed by or for the United States Government for any governmental purpose without payment of any royalties thereon. This invention (Navy Case 200621US02) is assigned to the United States Government and is available for licensing for commercial purposes. Licensing and technical inquiries may be directed to the Technology Transfer Office, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, email: Crane_T2@navy.mil. FIELD The field of the present disclosure relates generally to forward deployed sensor systems for use in naval or other maritime operations. More particularly, the disclosure pertains to a submersible forward deployed radar (FDR) system that may also include one or more of, sonar, electromagnetic, and optical detectors for detection of vessels or objects on or under the sea and telemetry means for communicating such detection to a remote location. BACKGROUND In naval and maritime operations, it is known for ships to employ radar systems for either defensive operations (e.g., detection of belligerent vessels or aircraft) or offensive operations (e.g., targeting of vessels or aircraft). Additionally, submarines may employ radar systems when travelling on the surface of the ocean, and then submerge to avoid detection. In either case of ships or submarines, there is increased risk when scanning for threats with radar as these vessels and the personnel manning such vessels are more easily detected and potentially placed in harm's way due to the need to be closer to the threats to be detected with the radar systems (i.e., forward deployment), and such proximity may be perceived as an aggressive posture, for example. Accordingly, a need exists to maintain tactical awareness using forward deployment positions for radar systems, while also promoting a passive ship posture to safeguard vessels and personnel. SUMMARY The present disclosure relates to unmanned submersible forward deployed sensor systems that are capable of being fully submerged to avoid detection and also have at least a portion that can surface/resurface when immediate threats are not present in order to perform radar scanning, as well as other types of detection such as using sonar, electromagnetic sensors, and/or optical sensors. Such systems allow forward deployment positions for detecting of threats using radar and other sensing, while also having the ability to selectively submerse to avoid detection and also not place human personnel in harm's way. According to further aspects, the disclosed submersible forward deployed sensor systems may include that the portion capable of surfacing or resurfacing includes an array of sensors and has an articulated arm system attaching the array to a submersible body of the system, whereby the arm system allows selective raising of the array of sensors above the surface when threats are not present and lowering of the array of sensors below the surface to avoid detection by threats. According to still further aspects, the disclosed submersible forward deployed sensor systems may be mobile and may include means for propulsion as well as means for controlling the level of submersion or buoyancy in order to provide the ability to optimally deploy and/or move to avoid detection. According to yet further aspect, the disclosed submersible forward deployed sensor systems may include a means for selectively anchoring the system to maintain a position and not travel or drift due to wave motion. Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments including the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: <figref idrefs="DRAWI
Filing details
- Inventors
- Gerald F. Miller
- Assignee
- The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy
- Filed
- Jun 12, 2025
- Granted
- Application pending
Bibliographic data and excerpted text sourced from Google Patents (public record) as part of IP TechMatch's current-filings monitor. This filing is not part of the 2019 historical archive. For the authoritative full text, drawings, and legal status, see the source links above or consult USPTO records directly.