Autonomous Mobile Periscope System (AMPS)

The proliferation of diesel electric submarines has impacted undersea warfare (USW) world wide. They are acoustically nearly undetectable, but can be detected by their periscope or snorkel. Since the US Navy has no diesel electric submarine, the Autonomous Mobile Periscope System (AMPS) is being developed to meet the requirement for an inexpensive readily available periscope detection target for the training of personnel in the detection of low radar cross section periscopes. The AMPS will represent the above water portion of a submarine running at periscope depth. A simulated attack periscope and mast will be mounted to a free running, underwater vehicle. The vehicle will position and propel the periscope over a prescribed path and will have the capability to submerge the periscope at various intervals. The vehicle can be operated autonomously using a pre-programmed track and on-board data storage. In addition, a two way radio link is capable of transmitting run-interrupt commands and to receive real-time data. The AMPS design was constrained by several factors; the ability to perform its mission in the high sea states in the Hawaiian area, the capability of the existing PMRF range support boats to launch and recover the AMPS with minimal modification, the capability of tracking and controlling AMPS, keeping the maintenance and operation of the AMPS within the skill level of the technicians currently employed at PMRF, and to do it all under $2 million.