Advanced Technology > Sonar Research & Development (SRD)

The Applied Research Laboratory has a long-established history in Sonar Research & Development, working on various aspects of underwater acoustics. As a leader in sonar technology, ARL conducts research and development in undersea warfare for such applications such as torpedoes, mine countermeasures, unmanned undersea vehicles, and shipboard uses. Work in these areas encompasses the development of active and passive sonars, countermeasures, and torpedo detection.

ARL´s work with sonar technology uses utilizes both existing Fleet system and custom designs. Research and development has been done or is ongoing in the following areas:

  • Large-Diameter Active Sonar (21 inches), with element-level signal processing
  • Mid-Diameter Active Sonar, (12 3/4 inches), both with beam-based processing and element-level control
  • Small-Diameter Sonar (6 1/4 inches)
  • High Frequency Sonar, with mine-hunting mine countermeasures capabilities
  • Omnidirectional Arrays, used for open ocean environmental measurements.
  • Multi-Function Sonars, used in countermeasure research
  • Extra Large Diameter Sonar (26 inches)
  • Side-Scan and Bottom Scan Sonars

Along with ARL´s wealth of sonar types, the most current sonar processing and control functions are also being developed within the Engineering Science and Technology Integration Division. Real-time signal processing is accomplished by using commercially available signal processing boards and integrated circuits. Some sonar systems use as many as 16 array processors. Processing power of this magnitude permits ARL´s sonars to act and react in open ocean test scenarios.

Experienced scientists and engineers develop complex waveforms for undersea transmission. Their ultimate goal is to locate and identify simulated targets. The waveforms used depend on the test scenario, whether the environment is noisy or hostile, and the target parameters, such as size, dynamics, and distance.

DEFINITIONS
Sonar Sonar stands for "sound navigation ranging," a method or device for detecting and locating objects, especially underwater, by means of sound waves transmitted or reflected by an object.

Active Sonar Active sonars transmit acoustic energy and detect targets by echolocation.

Passive Sonar Passive sonars operate by listening for acoustic emissions and can function in a covert manner.