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Advances in sonar technology have undoubtedly been significant, however, it is becoming apparent that even LFAS (Low-Frequency Active Sonar) will, at best, only offer reliable detection at the ranges many of our current tactics and procedures are based upon. If a significant improvement is to be achieved in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) then it is clear that the introduction of Multi-Static Sonar systems (MSS) offers the greatest hope for the future.
This article considers the possible MSS platforms from submarine, through tethered devices to the surface ship,and Anti-Submarine Warfare helicopter. It discusses the practical implications of MSS, reviewing system integration, the impact on weapon delivery, communications, both radio and acoustic, and some of the potential difficulties already encountered in sea trials. The tactical advantages of MSS are discussed and, in particular, its potential as a force multiplier: the article concludes by examining the overall impact MSS could have on national force levels and was published in the UDT PACIFIC 2000 Conference Proceedings. In the last years defence funding for ASW has been at an all time low. With new nations procuring submarines and their capabilities generally improving, particularly in battery performance and sensors, this slightly surprising. General political trends appear to be towards power projection, with the revival of the large aircraft carrier, or ultimate target if you are a submariner, concentrated effort on air-defence and a belief that most operations will be conducted under some sort of extended NATO or UN type umbrella. Successful joint international projects, particularly in Europe appear as elusive as ever.
In the discussion of this article definitions are applied to terms:
Mono-Static
The Transmitter and Receiver are co-located on the same platform. (The transmit and receive arrays may, however, consist of split elements).
Bi-Static
This simply indicates that one or more vessels (possibly including the transmitting vessel) are capable of receiving and processing the transmissions. This term, therefore includes multistatic systems and receiving systems may be onboard ships, submarines, helicopters or Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) via sonobuoys.
Tactical LFAS
Tactical Systems where the projector, normally in a Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) body, is colocated on the same platform as the receiver, which may be a short Towed Array (TA) streamed from the VDS or an array contained within the VDS...