Wave Walker Phase I

Improved near shore mine detection and neutralization capability is needed by the U.S. Navy. Analysis of the littoral warfare mission and the Persian Gulf experience identified this need. The littoral warfare mission increases emphasis on near shore and amphibious operations. Mine detection and neutralization involves a number of tasks and many efforts are underway to improve existing capabilities. The Office of Naval Research is using the SBIR program as part of these capability improvement activities. Red Zone Robotics received a Phase 1 SBIR contract to develop a concept for a walking robot that can operate in near shore environments. This robot would be used to clear near shore areas of mines before an assault. In operation, many robots would be released near the mine field with a general heading for the area to be cleared. The robots would proceed to spread out and canvas the area for mines. when a robot encountered a mine, it would stop and enter a wait mode. If other robots discovered the same mine, they would sense that a robot was already there in wait mode. when the area had been adequately covered, explosive charges in the robots would be detonated to destroy the mines and the robots.