Chelsea Technologies Group - Military systems and studies

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Capability
Systems
Sensor Technology
Homeland Security
Integrated Logistic Support
In Service Systems
Studies
Chelsea Technologies Group

Capability

The Chelsea Technologies Group (CTG) specialises in the complete scope of procurement from initial feasibility and assessment studies through the design process and prototyping to production. Full cognisance is taken of project management requirements, documentation standards, harbour and sea acceptance trials and, where appropriate, in-country training.

Collaboration across our military, civil and life science groups ensures that the latest technology and understanding is brought to any new project. This blend of skills is unique to CTG and of significant benefit to customers.

In service systems begin with an initial requirement and our expertise is to embrace a project from early concept, through experimental design and rapid prototyping, to trials at sea and full procurement. Specialist areas

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include Naval oceanographic and acoustic systems for submarine, AUV and surface ship platforms. The scope of supply includes outboard sensors, inboard data displays, real time processing and data storage units.

Our involvement extends beyond initial supply to include comprehensive through life logistic support on all equipment. Fast and efficient maintenance cycles are undertaken within our comprehensive test, evaluation and repair facility.

The Group has an extensive state-of-the-art calibration laboratory that operates to NAMAS standards where applicable. The Group operates to ISO 9000 TickiT, ISO 13488 and EN46002 Quality Assurance standards. Military contracts are run in accordance with the requirements of DEFSTAN 05-91.

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Systems. .

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CTG supplies systems to the Royal Navy to enhance their Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) capability and to provide acoustic support. Novel oceanographic and acoustic sensors gather a wide range of tactical information. Real time data displays provide the command with concise information on which to base operational decisions. As ASW systems become more advanced, and the threat becomes quieter, the tactical advantage increasingly depends on the	successful exploitation of the ocean environment. Measurement of the physical and biological parameters, characteristic of different water masses, can be used to give enhanced knowledge of the environment and forewarning of acoustically significant features such as fronts and eddies. Other parameters such as density, can for example, be used to trim submarines when surfacing through the ice. As modern warfare scenarios move from the deep blue to encompass the littoral zone, the need for accurate environmental data, transmitted in	real-time, becomes ever more important. CTG systems are provide such key information to platform commanders. Our acoustic systems provide at sea evaluations of the performance of in service sonars. CTG provide both permanent and portable systems, the latter being mobile and designed to be operationally ready in hours in order to provide low cost assessments of sonar systems prior to operation patrols.

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Sensor Technology. .
CTG supplies systems to the Royal Navy to enhance their Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) capability and to provide acoustic support. Novel oceanographic and acoustic sensors gather a wide range of tactical information. Real time data displays provide the command with concise information on which to base operational decisions. Our comprehensive research and development facility provides a centre of excellence for novel sensor design, prototyping and manufacture. . Specialist sensors include: Physical: temperature, conductivity, depth, turbulence Optical: transmission, fluorescence, bioluminescence Naval oceanographic and acoustic sensors and systems are required to comply with the environmental and coherence requirements demanded by the military sector. All Chelsea Technology military products meet these requirements. In addition, we provide oceanographic sensors with a significantly extended calibration life to maximise operational life and minimise through life costs. The requirement to provide an accurate recognised environmental picture requires a novel approach to sensors including reliability, low cost, low power and disposable technologies. All areas in which we have many years experience. Top	.
Integrated Logistic Support The story does not end with the supply of military systems. Through life support, including periodic calibration of the oceanographic sensors, maintenance, DRACAS, spares provisioning, together with obsolescence and risk management, is of paramount importance. The Chelsea Technologies Group are currently involved in long term comprehensive ILS activities for all equipment supplied to the Military sector. Wherever possible, in country training and ILS activities can be provided.	Trial Support Chelsea Technologies Group has a long history of providing support to the Royal Navy on both submarines and surface ships. Expertise includes trials' organization and planning, engineering and technical support and oceanography.
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In Service Systems The Chelsea Technologies Group has designed, developed and supplied multi-parameter sensor systems to the UK and overseas Navies.
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Tactical Environmental Data Acquisition System (TEDAS)
TEDAS is an oceanographic system designed to full military specification. It is based upon the technically advanced sonar 2115, the successor to sonar 2081, which is fitted to all UK submarines. Sonar 2115 is also designated for the UK’s new Astute class submarine. Overseas Navies are now adopting TEDAS.

The outboard multi-parameter sensor suite measures those physical and biological parameters that collectively ensure that the maximum tactical advantage can be sustained. The sensor suite is housed in a compact, robust housing, designed to withstand the full rigours of the military environment. The inboard rack mounted deck unit allows processing, display and storage of the collected and derived data. The UK (Astute) system includes IBIS (Integrated Bathymetric Information System), formerly known as sonar 2090. The system is sufficiently versatile to accommodate up to two outboard sensor suites operating simultaneously to allow differentials to be monitored, with provision for additional sensors if required. Two displays, operating independently, are provided for the Astute class fit.

A surface ship version is also available.
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TEDAS is an oceanographic system designed to full military specification. It is based upon the technically advanced sonar 2115, the successor to sonar 2081, which is fitted to all UK submarines. Sonar 2115 is being fitted to the UK’s new Astute class submarine. Overseas Navies are now adopting TEDAS. All data is presented to the Command on two independent displays.

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SeaSoar Towed Vehicle System

SeaSoar is an undulating towed vehicle for oceanographic data collection that operates to depths of 500 metres.
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SeaSoar is an undulating towed vehicle for oceanographic data collection that operates to depths of 500 metres. It is deployed from surface ships and towed at up to 12 knots. Three systems are currently in use with the Royal Navy’s two new survey vessels, HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise. The current sensor payload comprises a comprehensive range of highly advances oceanographic sensors. Data is displayed in real time providing the operator with a comprehensive mapping system in support of naval operations.

AQUA^shuttle Towed Vehicle System

AQUA^shuttle is a robust, towed, undulating vehicle with the capability of housing a large sensor payload. Capable of tow speeds from 8 to 25 knots, AQUA^shuttle will undulate from the surface to > 100 metres. Both the flight parameters and the data from the oceanographic payload can be monitored, stored and updated in real-time. GPS position information can be added to the data stream prior to display and storage.

To date, the UK Royal Navy has purchased five fully instrumented systems. The sensor suite can be selected from our complete product range or from other sources.
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AQUAshuttle is a robust, towed, undulating vehicle with the capability of housing a large sensor payload. Capable of tow speeds from 8 to 25 knots, AQUAshuttle will undulate from the surface to > 100 metres.

Sonar 2112

Chelsea Technologies supply the sensors for the new Sonar 2112 system. It is currently being installed prior to acceptance trials with the Royal Navy.

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Versatile Acoustic Source System

Portable Echo Repeater System The Portable Echo Repeater System (PERS) is a compact and versatile system for the performance evaluation of a wide range of active and passive sonar systems.

The Versatile Acoustic Source System (VASS) evaluates the performance of active and passive sonar systems that operate within the 30 Hz to 200 KHz band. The transducers are housed within a compact and robust tow fish, which is connected via a lightweight tow cable to a surface operations cabin. The cabin is a self contained, environmentally controlled, half size ISO container housing a processor, power amplifier and DSP electronics. Within the cabin, all transmissions are monitored on the systems digital analyser or headphone outputs.

The Portable Echo Repeater System (PERS) is a compact and versatile system for the performance evaluation of a wide range of active and passive sonar systems. It has been designed to be hand deployed from small vessels that have few facilities and which are too small to use VASS. PERS is controlled by an easy to use Graphical User Interface commanding the DSP, which is used to echo repeat, transpond and produce calibrated transmissions with up to 24 tones simultaneously.

Mine Hunting

BAe Systems use CTG’s telemetry systems as part of their exercise mines, which are used for training mine hunting crews. BAe Systems use CTG’s telemetry systems as part of their exercise mines, which are used for training mine hunting crews. These acoustic telemetry / modem systems are in-service with the UK, USA, Canadian, Australian & Belgian Navies.

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Military Studies
Chelsea Technologies Group's Studies team was formed in 1994 and is led by Dr Bill Neal. The Group has undertaken several different Assessment and Feasibility Studies in both the Anti-Submarine Warfare and Mine Counter Measures sectors of the marine environment. In general such studies are designed as a preliminary exercise to ensure that both equipment (acoustic or non-acoustic) and tactics are optimized for particular sectors (e.g. Rapid Environmental Assessment). In some cases, novel equipment design and data analysis are also included. The Studies Group has particular expertise in the effect of environmental features on weapon system performance, operational procedures, and the impact of oceanographic knowledge on tactical matters.

Ship Wake Studies
Chelsea Technologies Group has developed a number of novel systems for studying vessel wakes in the open ocean. Highly sensitive sensors have been deployed on chains and in towed bodies. High speed towed bodies with microstructure sensors for ocean turbulence have yielded vital data on the characteristics of ships' wakes (bubble size, density and distribution) as a function of both time and distance.

Homeland Security

Potable water monitoring for contaminants Chelsea Technologies Group has supplied three water quality-monitoring systems in support of the UK Government initiative for Homeland Security. The systems are specifically designed to characterise the natural biological and physical background levels in rivers and reservoirs.

Each system is configured to measure: temperature, conductivity, depth, chlorophyll-a, bioluminescence, turbidity, optical transmission, dissolved oxygen, pH.

There is an option to measure two of the chlorophyll breakdown products: phaeophytin and phycoerythrin. Additional sensors can be interfaced to the MINI^pack if required at a later stage.

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Chelsea Technologies Group has supplied three water quality-monitoring systems in support of the UK Government initiative for Homeland Security.

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Chelsea Technologies Group		.
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Chelsea Instruments Limited, established in 1960 and currently operating from a 17,500 sq ft facility in West Molesey Surrey, has been conducting research, development and production for the UK Ministry of Defence for over 25 years. Other business areas include for oceanographic and freshwater sensor technology, homeland security systems and life science product development.	In 1992 Chelsea Instruments was contracted to supply the Sonar 2081 sensor system for the Royal Navy submarine fleet. This has recently been upgraded and supplied to the new Astute class submarine and designated sonar 2115. The Chelsea Technologies Group also supply the outboard sensors for sonar 2112.	In 2001, Chelsea Instruments merged with Marine Acoustics, specialists in underwater acoustics and sonar system technology, to form the Chelsea Technologies Group. The combined technology of the two companies provides a unique oceanographic and acoustic sensor and systems development and manufacturing capability for the military sector.