Submarine Low Cost Littoral Water Sonar Passive Localization System

The objective of the proposed effort is to improve sonar system detection probability in shallow (littoral) waters. The proposed approach is to use a High Frequency towed Array (HFTA) to process the higher frequencies and broader bandwidths necessary in littoral waters. From research work, completed and on going, we have high confidence that sonar system performance, in littoral waters, will be improved. Advances in optical acoustic sensors and optical telemetry technology, coupled with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) signal processing technology provides the means for low cost enhancement of existing sonar systems. The research proposed in this task will verify the low cost approach through application of our acoustic performance and cost models. The relative performance of candidate HFTA configurations will be evaluated and costs determined. The acoustic environment of littoral mission areas will be evaluated to provide substance to the modeling effort.