AquaLink

Navy divers perform challenging tasks under challenging conditions, and having the right equipment can be a tremendous capability

multiplier. How might we improve the operational effectiveness of our

nation’s divers? AquaLink is an ecosystem of devices that provides added situational

awareness to divers and their supporting elements to aid mission success. TEAM

Dave Ahern: International Policy/Defense AcquisitionHong En Chew: Hardware EngineeringRachel Olney: Product DesignSamir Patel: Mechatronics/Finance

SPONSOR

Jordan Spector & U.S. Navy Special Warfare Group 3U.S. Special Operations CommandA

quaL

ink

This Week Previously Total

Users 5 24 29

Buyers 1 7 8

Experts 0 19 19

Interview Breakdown

Customer Discovery

Hypotheses Results Actions

Deployed divers want a method of finding the SDV that is more accurate than the current pinger method

Interviews with the leaders of three SDVT-1 platoons, presentation of MVP 1

#3: The current pinger method is not very accurate but it is a workable solution, improving it would be great but not an urgent need

Removed from problem statement/value proposition

The SDV needs a mechanism of obtaining its position and/or communicating without having to go near the surface

Interviews with the leaders of three SDVT-1 platoons, presentation of MVP 2

#1: This is the highest priority problem as it directly affects situational awareness during the mission, possibly also the lowest hanging fruit

Consolidated problem definition and made this the central value proposition

Mission planning would be aided by a device that collects diver position data which can be downloaded and visualized for post-dive analysis

Interviews with the leaders of three SDVT-1 platoons, presentation of MVP 3

#2: This is a currently non-existent capability which would greatly aid situational awareness, but generates less excitement than #1

Removed from problem statement/value proposition

Experiments

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Beneficiary initiates contact (Neptune Spark via H4D)

Beneficiary works with AquaLink to identify problems through interviews

“We have a problem with underwater location… hey there are these Stanford students that will be working on it!”

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Beneficiary resonates with AquaLink’s formulation of the problem and proposed solution

“Hmm this is precisely the problem that we want to solve, and this solutions sounds like it could work...”

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Beneficiary decides that AquaLink’s prototype seems promising

“This prototype I just tried works great, I’ll ask for one of them the next time we get to request new gear...”

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Generate Operational Deficiency Report (SDVT-1 -> NSWG-3 -> NSW)

Generate Capability Development Document (N8)

Device development (J4 -> S&T/PEO-M/PEO-SW)

Device testing (N8 -> NAVSEA -> NSWG-3 -> SDVT-1)

Generate Capabilities Requirements Document (J8-R)

Approve purchase and provide funding (N4)

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AquaLink to provide:● Regular customer

check-ins● Repairs and resupply● Redesigns to correct

issues that arise

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Allow for customization of systems

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Provide upgrades to more advanced systems

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Expand to other dive units within NSW then SOCOM and other DoD

Mission Model Canvas

Who: SDV/SEAL DiversHow: Commodore of NSWG-3 approves if long-term/external funding is not needed, otherwise Commander of NSW needs to approve

KEY PARTNERS KEY ACTIVITIES

KEY RESOURCES

VALUE PROPOSITION BUY-IN / SUPPORT

DEPLOYMENT

BENEFICIARIES

MISSION BUDGET MISSION ACHIEVEMENT FACTORS

- Problem sponsors: Navy Special Warfare Group 3 (NSWG-3), U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM)- Commercial partners: mil-spec dive equipment manufacturers

In order of priority:1) Provide location to the SDV2) Provide comms between the SDV and C2 node3) Provide similar location + comms capability to dive pairs

- Defence procurement expertise: course staff, sponsors, DIUX, liaisons- User expertise: military divers, commercial/scientific divers

- Hardware/software prototyping costs (RDT&E from SOCOM)- Purchase of existing products on the market for evaluation (NSWG-3 or

NAVSOC N-8).

1. Feasibility: At the end of the quarter, SDVT-1/NSWG-3 decide that our proposal merits further development and initiates their internal processes for funding/pilot testing/field deployment i.e. creating the ODR

2. Performance: Our prototype should demonstrate that all critical features can be integrated within given size/weight/cost specs

3. User satisfaction: Seamless integration into current SOP, increased situational awareness

FOLLOW THE PROCESS:● SDVT-1/NSWG-3/NSW

CDR create ODR● N8 drafts CDD● J4 will select office to lead

the charge● N8/Ops field test, third-

party labs certify● J8 creates official

requirements● N4 approves funding

End Users (Divers):LT Scott Terry, SDVT-1LT Derick Shima, SDVT-1Other SEALs

InfluencersLT Jordan Spector, SDVT-1Master Diver, SDVT-1

Decision MakersCAPT Travis Schweizer, NSWG-3REAR ADM Brian Losey, NSW

Provide greater situational awareness for SDVT-1 with a mechanism for the SDV to obtain absolute location and comms while staying underwater and minimizing exposure.

Option 1:Provide a more accurate mechanism for divers to locate the SDV and/or locate deployed objects more efficiently and reduce lost time

Option 2:Record diver location history and make it available for post-dive analytics to aid intelligence generation

AquaLink Value Proposition SDVT-1 Diver

Value Proposition Canvas

Customer

Jobs

Products & Services

GainsGain Creators

PainsPain Relievers

A device that enables the SDV/dive pairs to:1. Obtain absolute location 2. Obtain comms link3. Locate objects or the SDV

Enhanced situational awareness of location of self and others on-demand with minimal exposure

Find the SDV or an object more quickly and with more accurate tools

Time spent lostDifficulty of finding objects or the SDV underwater in poor visibilityAvoidable incomplete missions due to lack of a convenient comms channel for C2 node to update SDV/divers and adapt plan of action on the fly

Complete assigned mission within time constraints

An easily accessible GPS fixAn easily accessible satcom network between dive pairs, SDV, and C2 node

A small form factor, easily deployable and retrievable buoy with GPS and satcom capability

A set of beacons that will allow divers to hone in on something.

MVP: Position Communication

Data Out: Position & IDData In: Positions & IDs

Questions

DEPLOYMENT FLOWCHART

NSW

N4N8

S&T

PEO-M

PEO-SW

J8-R

J4 N8

NSWG-3

SDVT-1

SDVT-1

NSWG-3

Generate Operational Deficiency Report (ODR)

N8: Preliminary Test

DoD Lab: Lab Test*NAVSEA for Diving

SDVT-1: Field Test

S&T: Nothing Exists → Develop

PEO-M/SW: Tech Exists → Modify or Fund Development

Generate Capability Development Document (CDD)

Generate Capability Requirements Document

Approve and Provide Funding for Necessary Technology

DoD Lab

LT Jordan SpectorLT Derick Shima

Sophie HillMike IovinoBob Foley

Rear Adm. Losey

CAPT Travis Schweizer

Organizational Structure

NSWG 3NSWG 1/2 NSWG 4 NSWG 10 DEVGRU NSWC

NSW

SOCOM US Navy

Staff Staff

S&TL

J8

HPRC

N8

NEDU

UHPI

SDVT-1

Troop

N1 N2 N3 N4 N8

J6 NAVSEAN1-6N1-6N1-6N1/2/3/4/6J4

OT&E

J4J4J1/2/3

N6

PEO-M

Tech OverviewType Company Equipment Distance Lifetime Pros Cons

Comms Ocean Technology Systems

http://ots.mwrc.net/en/product.php?product_id=45648

100m-1000m 4-8 hours ? ?

Comms Ocean Technology Systems

http://ots.mwrc.net/en/product.php?product_id=45663

200m-3000m 6-8 hours ? ?

Combined Nautilus http://www.nautiluslifeline.com/nautilus_lifeline

2-6 mi/34 mi uhf 24 hours Stores waypoints ?

Comms Casio http://logosease.yamagata-casio.co.jp/en/

Not Listed Not Listed Bone conduction 55m max/2-way

Combined UDI-UTC http://www.utc-digital.com/

<= 500m 8 hrs Pre-formatted Messages

No audio

Comms Ocean Reef http://www.oceanreefgroup.com/pdf/docs/doc_comm_system_specs.pdf

<= 500m 25 hrs ? ?

Location Desert Star Systems http://desertstar.com/diver-technology/

4000ft 6hrs Point-and-shoot to transmitter

Not Covert?

Location Navimate http://www.navimate.com/

100 yds Not Listed Provides location data underwater

Requires pinger on boat