Advanced Physics-Based Modeling of Discrete Clutter and Diffuse Reverberation in the Littoral Environment

The performance of active Navy sonar systems in littoral environments is often limited by strong reverberation and discrete, target-like clutter events. An accurate, physics-based model for the prediction of clutter and diffuse reverberation is needed in order to shape the development of new sonar concepts and optimize the employment strategies of existing systems. The Phase I base program team showed that it has the skills required to analyze and model target-like, discrete clutter events. The team recommended the work of Kevin LePage using a summation of narrow-band results for continued development under the Phase II. The Phase II base program will expand the understanding of target-like clutter events through analyses of additional data sets. Continued model development by Kevin LePage will develop a mature modeling capability that will simulate discrete clutter and diffuse reverberation in littoral environments. A rigorous model-to-data comparison is also proposed for the Phase II base program. PSI will transition the model from Kevin LePage into a configuration managed product with documentation for an end-user. This proposal brings together key personnel’s skills to propose the development of a truly unique simulation capability applicable to wide variety of Navy programs including the AEER and LAMP programs.