N24A-T008 TITLE: Kilowatt Class Stimulated Brillouin Scattering Reduced Hollow-Core Fiber (HCF) Dip Loop Cable Assembly

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Advanced Materials

OBJECTIVE: Develop an innovative design and manufacturing approach for a kilowatt (kW) class Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) reduced Hollow-Core Fiber (HCF) marine connectorized cable assembly with Optical Hull Penetrator (OHP) for submerged operation.

DESCRIPTION: Currently, the Navy has a need for a kW class SBS reduced HCF dip-loop-assembly for Directed Energy (DE) beam delivery. Through separate initiatives, the Navy has developed an SBS reduced HCF bundle capable of achieving the kW transmission per each HCF channel. The ability to connect the number of fibers required has not been achieved in industry, and the hull side kW class connector for the newly developed hull penetration internals does not exist. Reliable and repeatable manufacturing of a fiber cable of this size capable of submerged application when subject to long-duration complex stress states with Navy platforms has yet to be developed. Dip Loop cable assembly shall include seven (7) quad for a total of 28 HCF. Additionally, the cable assembly must be as flexible as an outboard pressure proof hybrid fiber-optic interface cable assembly for undersea application. A kW class cable assembly with connector is an outboard and inboard cable assembly for undersea platforms, terminated at each end with deep submergence molded optical hull penetrator plug connecters, which can handle the kW class laser optical power. A kW class optical cable assembly is defined as a ship-set and provides kW optical interconnection between one Beam Director and one OHP. kW optical cable assemblies shall run within the Universal Modular Mast (UMM) Fairing Cable Handling Assembly (FCHA). Minimum bend radius shall be less than 2 inches of diameter and cable assembly shall not exceed 55 pounds including outboard kW class connector.

PHASE I: Develop a concept and demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative kW class SBS reduced HCF connectorized cable assembly that will be connected with an OHP for submerged operation. Develop the general model of innovative concept and identify the technology for cabling and connection for submerged operation. Accomplish the feasibility through modeling, simulation, analysis, or other formal methods. The Phase I Option, if exercised, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build a prototype solution in Phase II.

PHASE II: Develop and deliver the kW class SBS reduced HCF dip-loop-assembly for DE beam delivery prototype. Through separate initiatives, the Navy has developed an SBS reduced HCF bundle capable of achieving the kW transmission desired. Phase II awardee(s) will coordinate with the company that has developed the SBS reduced HCF fiber. Information on how to purchase the necessary length of the SBS reduced HCF bundle for demonstration and prototype development of the marine connectorized dip-loop-assembly system will be provided to Phase II awardee(s). Demonstrate the broad requirements of the cabling and perform the required marine environment qualification testing to include submerged operation and pressure proof testing. If the performance and technical requirements are met during the evaluation, continue development of the technology utilizing additional Navy-provided performance data.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Navy in transitioning the technology to Navy use.

The final design will be the kW class SBS reduced HCF dip-loop-assembly for DE beam delivery, which possesses the potential for use in oil and gas Industries.

REFERENCES:

1. Military Specification for Connectors, Electrical, Deep Submergence, Submarine (05-SEP-1984) (MIL-C-24217); http://everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL-SPECS-MIL-C/MIL-C-24217A_49807.
2. Military Specification for Connectors, Plugs, Receptacles, Adapters, Hull Inserts, & Hull Insert Plugs, Pressure-Proof, General Specification For (15-May-1987)." (MIL-C-24231); http://everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL-SPECS-MIL-C/MIL-C-24231D_8423.
3. Undersea Warfare Chief Technology Office. "Undersea Enterprise (USE) Science & Technology (S&T) Strategic Plan dtd Jan 20, 2010; http://www.ndia.org/Divisions/Divisions/UnderseaWarfare/Documents/USW%20-%202013%20USW%20STOs.pdf. https://defenseinnovationmarketplace.dtic.mil/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/USW_Strategy.pdf
4. Sub-cycle detection of incipient cable splice faults to prevent cable damage; Kojovic, L.A.; Williams, C.W., Jr.; Power Engineering Society Summer Meeting, 2000. IEEE Volume 2, 16-20 July 2000 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/867545
5. Application of thermoelectric aging models to polymeric insulation in cable geometry; Cooper, E.S.; Dissado, L.A.; Fothergill, J.C.; Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, IEEE Transactions on [see also Electrical Insulation, IEEE Transactions on] Volume 12, Issue 1, Feb. 2005

KEYWORDS: Stimulated Brillouin Scattering; SBS; hollow core fiber; HCF; optical hull penetrator; OHP; dip-loop-assembly; directed energy; DE; cable connectors; Dip Loop; Cable; outboard; submerged operation

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