Infra-red Detection of Marine Mammals From Ship-Based Platforms

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The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is interested in receiving proposals for research into the use of infra-red (IR) band technology as a potential means of detecting marine mammals. There are significant concerns about the effects of anthropogenic sound (e.g., use of military sonar, seismic research and exploration, marine construction, shipping) on marine mammals. As a means of minimizing interactions between anthropogenic acoustic activities and marine mammals, human observers are often employed to detect marine mammals and initiate mitigation strategies when mammals are observed sufficiently close to active sound sources. Visual observations, the current standard, are limited in their effective use to daytime, comparatively clear atmospheric conditions and relatively low sea states. Additionally, alternative detection methods currently being used to detect marine mammals include 1) passive acoustics, which is dependent on vocalizing animals; and 2) active acoustics, which has been reserved for research, releases energy into the water and must be assessed for possible adverse effects. Because all these methods have their shortcomings, additional alternative and/or complementary marine mammal detection methods are being developed, including use of radar and IR. Our goal is to evaluate the efficacy of IR imagery (still and/or video) for near-real-time detection of marine mammals from ship-based platforms. Ultimately IR detection might be optimized by use of high-incident angle views of the sea surface via unmanned aerial vehicles (or other platforms). However, to minimize initial investment costs while we evaluate the potential of this detection technology we will not here invest in studies using a costly autonomous flying platform. Rather we seek to invest in research using ship-based, more oblique-angle techniques coupled with visual observation of marine mammals, which offers validation opportunities. At the discretion of the proposer, ship-based measurements might utilize tethered balloons, kites or tall masts to increase incident viewing angles of the imagery system, and might be preceded by land (cliff)-based evaluations that could cost effectively develop and test the proposed technology.Our interest is in developing and testing a small, light weight, low power IR imagery (still and/or video) system that may be adaptable to diverse platforms. Therefore the focus of this BAA is on uncooled (microbolometric) IR systems, and not cooled systems.Proposers should describe and defend the proposed sensor(s) and imagery system(s), the nature and stability of the deployment system as it relates to expected image quality, the sampling protocol for marine mammal detection, the time responsiveness and need for human control of the proposed system(s), and goals for detection in terms of range and spatial resolution. Proposers must also describe plans for field tests using the proposed IR system(s) as well as validation efforts in conjunction with visual observers. Proposals should request all costs required for completion of the proposed work, including ship costs and use of visual observers.Work funded under a BAA may include basic research, applied research and some advanced technology development (ATD). With regard to any restrictions on the conduct or outcome of work funded under this BAA, ONR will follow the guidance on and definition of "contracted fundamental research" as provided in the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) Memorandum of 26 June 2008. As defined therein the definition of "contracted fundamental research", in a DoD contractual context, includes [research performed under] grants and contracts that are (a) funded by Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Budget Activity 1 (Basic Research), whether performed by universities or industry or (b) funded by Budget Activity 2 (Applied Research) and performed on campus at a university or by industry. ATD is funded through Budget Activity 3. In conformance with the USD(AT&L) guidance and National Security Decision Directive 189, ONR will place no restriction on the conduct or reporting of unclassified fundamental research, except as otherwise required by statute, regulation or Executive Order. Normally, fundamental research is awarded under grants with universities and under contracts with industry. ATD is normally awarded under contracts and may require restrictions during the conduct of the research and DoD pre-publication review of research results due to subject matter sensitivity. As regards to the present BAA, the Research and Development efforts to be funded will consist of applied research. The funds available to support awards are Budget Activity 2.

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