SOUth TOTO acoustic measurement facility (STAFAC) in-water systems design

Current submarine radiated noise measurement systems operated by the US Navy in the Southern portion of the Tongue of the Ocean (TOTO), Bahamas, including their deployment vessel, the USNS HAYES, are nearing their end-of-life and require replacement prior to FY09. The South TOTO Acoustic Facility Program, STAFAC, is a Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) program supported by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newport Division (NUWCDIVNPT), which operates and maintains the Navy´s Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center, (AUTEC) on Andros Island, Bahamas, and the Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (NFESC). This four year program, beginning in FY05, replaces the existing surface ship deployed submarine radiated noise, high gain measurement systems with a fixed, bottom mounted, shore connected acoustic system installed in the same area. The main system infrastructure was installed in April through May of 2008, and the acoustic sensors were installed in July - August 2008. The Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for STAFAC is October 2008.