Environmental Impact on Mobile Sonar Shallow Water Operations

Abstract

Shallow Water operations provide unique challenges for mobile sonars. In many cases propagation conditions can be optimized - our studies have shown that sound channeling can occur in approximately 75% of the strategic shallow water scenarios studied (10 geographic locations, 4 seasons) - if sensors (and targets) are at proper depths. However, at low frequencies (500 - 4000 Hz) we must consider how significant leakage will be; this can be either an asset or a liability. Even in strongly downward refracting conditions the situation can be improved by placing sensors below the thermocline. The need to lower frequency to increase detection range must be balanced against increased reverberation and noise, and ultimate system performance. The ideal optimization based on our analysis of propagation conditions for various source and receiver configurations will be compared with what is practical.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1991
Accession Number
AD1114257

Entities

People

  • David G. Browning
  • Joseph M. Monti

Organizations

  • SACLANT ASW Research Centre

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Sonar
  • Attenuation
  • Bottom Loss
  • Deep Depth
  • Deep Water
  • Depth
  • Detection
  • Environment
  • Frequency
  • Geographic Regions
  • Grazing
  • Grazing Angles
  • Losses
  • Low Angles
  • North Sea
  • Norwegian Sea
  • Sea Water
  • Shallow Water
  • Southern Hemisphere
  • Target Detection
  • Transmission Loss
  • Water

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Wave Propagation and Nonlinear Chaotic Dynamics.