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Air blast alternative for Navy testing

Seismic air guns, an alternative to explosive testing, are being investigated by researchers at the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) in Melbourne.

Impact of underwater shock loading

Senior researcher and Science Team Leader, Warren Reid, says navy tests vessel equipment and systems vulnerability to underwater shock loading, at sites including the Spencer Gulf. Typically the first vessel of every naval class is tested for shock loading – the most recent, a Collins class submarine in June 2003.

“Seismic air guns are emerging as a more flexible, more environmentally friendly alternative in simulating underwater shock loads. The technology is used by the off-shore oil industry to detect seabed reserves and now other defence forces are investigating their use for testing vessel survivability,” Reid says.

“Because seismic air guns emit much less force than underwater explosive tests, they have a much lower environmental impact on marine life and could therefore enable tests in port rather than at sea, which would save defence considerable time and money.”

Visiting researcher from the US Naval Surface Warfare Centre’s Carderock Division, Andrew Corbishdale, says scientists at Carderock have been examining the use of seismic guns over the past decade.

“Seismic air gun technology has the potential to allow tests on vessels as they prepare for deployment, to measure the vulnerability of shipboard equipment and to train crew on any necessary actions in response to shock load effects on the vessel,” Corbishdale says.

The DSTO team expects to continue its research with a view to conducting full-scale tests on a retired frigate, leading to shock trials on new vessels.

For more information contact Defence Science Communications on +61 3 9626 7128

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