Underwater Acoustic Tracer System
Abstract
This patent application discloses an underwater supercavitating projectile that includes means to form ripples on its surrounding cavity so as to provide well-defined disturbances of the cavity boundary. As the ripples move aft of the supercavitating projectile and into the wake behind the advancing projectile, the ripples detach to form a pattern of vapor bubbles in the wake that are distinct in both size and regularity from the typical vapor bubbles formed as the cavity collapses behind the advecting projectile. Sensors record the track of the projectile along its path based on the distinct acoustic signature of the vapor bubbles. Combined with the acoustic echo from a target, the relative distance of the projectile to the target can be determined using methods known in the art. Multiple projectile trajectories are used to increase the ability to resolve the target by adjusting the aiming of the projectiles to reduce the relative distance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 13, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADD020403
Entities
People
- Robert Kuklinski
Organizations
- United States Department of the Navy