The document describes AquaLink, a proposed system to improve situational awareness for Navy divers. AquaLink would use buoys with GPS and satellite communication capabilities to provide divers and their support teams with location information and a communication channel to aid mission success. The document discusses initial prototypes, including a buoy with GPS and Iridium satellite communication that could be easily deployed and retrieved by divers.

1. 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 Acquisition
Hong En Chew: Hardware Engineering
Rachel Olney: Product Design
Samir Patel: Mechatronics/Finance
SPONSOR
Jordan Spector & U.S. Navy Special Warfare Group 3
U.S. Special Operations Command
AquaLink
This Week Previously Total
Users 8 29 37
Buyers 5 9 14
Experts 1 19 20
Interview Breakdown

2. Recap
Observe
Explore Dual-Use Potential
3 atmospheres is “hella” lot
Orient
Commercial Applications
Scientific Research Applications
Decide
Cost-Benefit Analysis of MVP
Dual-Use Applicability
Act
Design MVPs
Testing Process

3. Mission Model Canvas
Who: SDV/SEAL Divers
How: 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
Military:
1) Provide location to the SDV
2) Provide comms between the
SDV and C2 node
3) Provide similar location +
comms capability to dive pairs
Commercial:
Specific dual-use case TBD
- Defence procurement
expertise: course staff,
sponsors, DIUX, liaisons
- User expertise: military divers,
commercial/scientific divers, dive
tour operators, recreational
divers
- Hardware/software prototyping costs (RDT&E from SOCOM through NF)
- 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
4. Increase Mission Capabilities: Reduce the time it would take for the diver to
get a GPS fix 500% increase in efficiency.
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)
Influencers
SWG 3
Decision Makers
NSWG-3
NSW
Research Entities?
Commercial Divers?
Commercial Fishing?
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.
Proposed device is a easily
deployable/retrievable buoy with
GPS for location and Iridium for
satellite comms, satisfying the
appropriate ruggedization and
covertness requirements.

4. AquaLink Value Proposition SDVT-1 Diver
Value Proposition Canvas
A device that enables the SDV/dive pairs to:
1. Obtain absolute location
2. Obtain comms link
Enhanced situational awareness of location of
self and others on-demand with minimal
exposure
Time spent lost
Difficulty of finding objects or the SDV
underwater in poor visibility
Avoidable 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 fix
An easily accessible satcom network
between dive pairs, SDV, and C2 node
A small form factor,
easily deployable
and retrievable
buoy with GPS and
iridium capability

5. MVP: Position Communication
Data Out: Position & ID
Data In: Positions & IDs
Version 1.0: SDV Buoy
Version 2.0: Diver Buoy

6. MVP: Initial Physical Builds

7. MVP: Initial Physical Builds
GPS
IRIDIUM
LCD Screen

8. MVP: Initial Physical Builds

9. Mission Achievement
Version 1.0: GPS/Iridium Version 2.0: Motor Driven Version 3.0: Scalable
NSWG Operators:
● Provide enhanced location to the
SDV
Scientific Divers:
● Location-tracking for
Researchers, Mapping/Locations
of Interest
Commercial Dive Tour Operators:
● Marking dive sites of interest
● Sharing locations geotagged
photos for marketing
NSWG Operators:
● Enhanced operations
● Time/distance features
NSWG Commanders:
● Provide increased situational
awareness (know where the SDV
is)
Commercial and Scientific Entities
● Program time/distance
parameters to automate buoy
deployment
● Distress/malfunction signals
NSWG Operators:
● Provide similar location +
comms capability to dive pairs
NSWG Commanders:
● Provide increased situational
awareness (know where the SDV
and every dive pair is)
Commercial Dive Tour Operators:
● Able to track all divers
● Divers who get lost have an
means to communicate back to
boat crew and dive master

10. Questions