Description
The system provides leading edge sonar performance that rivals the best helicopter dipping sonars on the market, fully integrated unmanned operation capability, and rugged construction for reliable operation and simple maintenance in the marine environment.
Advantages over Adapted helicopter dipping sonars due to USV-dedicated design:
- Capable of sustained acoustic transmissions at both high power and high duty cycle (no need to wait and re-charge a power bank in the SU).
- System is designed specifically for an extended lifetime operating in the harsh marine environment:
- Equipment is designed for naval shipboard shock and vibration.
- On-deck components and materials are selected to withstand the elements, water loading, and corrosion of a small vessel’s open deck environment at sea.
- Simplified interfaces instead of specialized, aircraft-specific interfaces, simplifying system components and maintenance.
Active Frequency | VLF |
Transmit | Omni |
Source Level | High Power |
Max Operational Depth | 500 m |
Features
- Cylindrical body housing transmit and receive acoustic arrays, as well as telemetry, non acoustic sensors, and associated components
- Collapsing design provides a low-drag compact form factor for deployment and recovery, but expands for operation to provide large, high-performance acoustic arrays
- Transmit array deploys vertically below body
- Receive array staves deploys radially out from body
- Simplified SU requirements enable a reliable design:
- SU contains no power storage or amplifier components (replaced with dry end amplifier)
- Simplified, rugged actuation mechanisms
