Mid-Frequency Sonobuoy

Active multistatic sonar systems have become the preferred solution for shallow water undersea warfare missions. Most airborne active multistatic systems operate in the low frequency range to provide increased range and reverberation resistance. Tactical follow up to large area search and target tracking are better accomplished by using higher frequencies, which provide high range resolution and speed computation. Tactical platforms such as the MH-60R multi-mission helicopter conduct tactical defensive and offensive operations in support of the battle group. They operate in a multistatic mode with the bow sonar source onboard the surface combatant and with their own onboard Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) sonar by deploying sonobuoys to receive and transmit the echoes to the helicopter. These systems operate at a higher frequency than where the current receiving sonobuoys operate. Therefore, to optimally operate in a multistatic mode with these higher frequency sources, a new receiver is required which operates in the mid-frequency range of the ship sonars and ALFS. This new receiver will be compatible with existing digital RF links and employ in-buoy beamforming and processing. This new receiver will be capable of significant increase in weapon system operational performance over today’s receivers.