Combat Systems: Status of the Navy's Airborne Low Frequency Sonar Program

Combat Systems: Status of the Navy's Airborne Low Frequency Sonar Program

Active / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA239709 |

Abstract:

The Airborne Low Frequency Sonar system is being designed to provide a long-range active search capability to detect, localize, and classify sub-surface threats. The sonar is a dipping sonar, which is an acoustic sensor that is lowered into the water from a helicopter, searches for submarine sounds, and then is raised back into the helicopter by cable. The sounds detected by the sonar are analyzed by an acoustic processor on board the helicopter. This system can also process and display data obtained from sonobuoys, another device used to detect enemy submarines. The sonar can operate in a passive or active mode. A passive sonar listens for noises generated from submarines, whereas an active sonar transmits sounds that reflect off large objects in the water. The Navy developed the sonar system primarily to replace the ANAQS-13F dipping sonar system on the SH-60F helicopter, which is deployed on aircraft carriers. The system was also developed to supplement active and passive sonobuoys on the SH-60B helicopter, which is deployed from surface ships.

Author(s):

No Author(s) Identified

Author Organization(s):

GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON DC NATIONAL SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS DIV

Supplementary Note:

Report to the Secretary of Defense.

Pagination:

0016

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:

Approved For Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TR

Identifying Numbers

Report Number(s):

GAO/NSIAD-91-208

Monitor Series:

OASD/ISA

Subject Terms

Joint Capability Areas:

JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_3.2.1_Kinetic Means; JCA_8.2_Shape; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_6.1.1_Wired Transmission; JCA_4.6_Engineering; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_1.2.5_Lessons Learned; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_1.4.1_Force Health Protection; JCA_1.4_Force Support; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_8.2.1_Partner with Governments and Institutions; JCA_8.2.3_Build the Capabilities and Capacities of Partners and Institutions

Communities of Interest:

Ground and Sea Platforms

Descriptor(s):

*ACOUSTIC EQUIPMENT, *ACOUSTIC DETECTORS, *PASSIVE SONAR, DEPLOYMENT, SHIPS, OCEAN SURFACE, THREATS, WEAPON SYSTEMS, WATER, CABLES, PROCESSING EQUIPMENT, HELICOPTERS, LONG RANGE(DISTANCE), SEARCHING, SOUND, AIRCRAFT CARRIERS, ENEMY, DATA DISPLAYS, NOISE, SUBMARINES, SONAR, SUBSURFACE, SONOBUOYS

Field(s)/Group(s):

Acoustic Detection and Detectors

Keyword(s):

*ACOUSTIC DETECTORS, *ACTIVE SONAR, *PASSIVE SONAR, DIPPING SONAR, ALFS(AIRBORNE LOW FREQUENCY SONAR), UNDERWATER SOUND, AN AQS 13F SONAR, SH 60F HELICOPTERS, NAVAL EQUIPMENT

Report Date:

1991 Aug 01