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Networked underwater sonar trials a success

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) will develop laboratory based demonstrations of networked undersea sensors for anti-submarine warfare following successful trials in the Indian Ocean recently.

DSTO will also report at the end of year on the improvements if any obtained by networking underwater sensors, as opposed to operating them independently.

The trials, part of DSTO's contribution to the Project SEA 1656 Network Enabled Undersea Warfare Capability Technology Demonstrator (CTD), comprised a complex series of undersea sensor data collection off Perth.

"The main objective of the CTD is to demonstrate the capability to network multiple undersea sensors to improve the Australian Defence Force's Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti - Surface Warfare (ASuW) and Torpedo Defence," DSTO scientist Mr Simon Taylor said.

For the trial, DFAD (Deployable Force Anti-Submarine Warfare Demonstrator) and a Hull Mounted Sonar (HMS) broadband recording system were installed and networked together on the flight deck of HMAS ARUNTA. DFAD includes active and passive sonars, towed in an array behind HMAS ARUNTA, and computer based displays. Two other sonar arrays were deployed on the sea bottom near the trial site. The information from these arrays was sent via satellite to a remote monitoring position at DSTO Stirling.

Active sonar refers to a system which actively emits sound pulses that then bounce off an underwater or surface target and are returned to the originating vessel. This enables the originating vessel to pinpoint the location of other vessels in the area.

Mr Taylor said an extensive amount of sensor data was recorded. This data would be reviewed and analysed to provide the laboratory based demonstration of the networking of undersea sensors in August 2005. The sensor processing systems had also been networked in DSTO's Sonar Systems Laboratory and the replay of concurrent multiple sensors has commenced.

Mr Taylor also said the success of the trial was a reflection of excellent cooperation between many authorities involved - DSTO, Maritime Ranges Special Project Office (SPO), ANZAC SPO, private sector company Tenix, the Royal Australian Navy's HMAS STIRLING south of Perth, Maritime Headquarters staff and HMAS ARUNTA.

"Such cooperation stands the Navy Innovation Strategy in good stead," Mr Taylor said.

Media Enquiries:

Steve Butler (08) 8259 6923 or 0418 800 323

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is part of Australia's Department of Defence. DSTO's role is to ensure the expert, impartial and innovative application of science and technology to the defence of Australia and its national interests.

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