HUMAN FACTOR PROBLEMS IN ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE. SONAR OPERATOR DETECTION PERFORMANCE AT SEA
Abstract
An earlier experiment using training equipment ashore indicated that a significant improvement could be expected in sonar target detection performance by employing bias and gain voltages which differed from those typically employed. This report describes a similar, though briefer, experiment undertaken at sea with an AN/SQS-23A sonar. In a preliminary experiment, using project personnel as observers, detection performance was determined for several values of bias and gain. In the main experiment detection performance of the ship's eight sonar operators was compared when (1) employing their favored values of bias and gain, and when (2) employing values selected as a result of the preliminary experiment. It was found that by increasing the gain (actually decreasing the gain voltage 3.3 volts) above that typically selected by operators of an AN/SQS-23A sonar operating at sea, target detection performance with respect to targets generated by the sonar test set was improved by approximately 3 decibels. This result provides objective evidence for the validity of the frequently made observation that many sonar operators search at a gain level substantially below the optimum.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0464326
Entities
People
- C. H. Baker
- E. L. Parker
- J. C. Rittger