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The United States Navy maintains a superior global
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability with the ability to
detect, localize, identify, and track potential hostile
submarines. This is provided by the capabilities of
sonobuoys. Sonobuoys are used to determine environmental
conditions for determination of best search tactics, to
communicate with friendly submarines, and to conduct search,
localization, tracking, and, as required, attack of designated
hostile platforms.
Sonobuoys provide both a deployable acoustical signal source and
reception of underwater signals of interest. These received
signals are transmitted to any monitoring unit(s) that then
processes the signal for analysis, classification of any target,
and recording on magnetic tape media for replay and post event
analysis. Both the initial detection of submarines and the
localization of detected targets is usually done with passive
sonobuoys, if possible, so as to deny for as long as possible
the submarine becoming aware that an adversary aircraft is
present. By use of established tactics, the sonobuoys allow for
short and long range detection of surface ships and submarines,
thereby, allowing for prosecution of identified hostile
targets. Other specialized sonobuoys can detect electric fields,
magnetic anomalies or the light emitted by microscopic organisms
disturbed by the passage of a submarine [bioluminescence].
Active sonobuoys are used to localize targets quickly and
accurately in extreme environmental conditions, against a very
quiet submarine, or in an attack mode. The released acoustic
energy enables an accurate location from the sonobuoy in both
range and bearing to the submarine. When two or more ?fixes? are
obtained the speed and the course of the target can be
established. Active buoys use a transducer to introduce acoustic
energy into the water and to manipulate the return echoes that
are amplified and for VHF radio transmission. These buoys are
designed for deeper depths than passive buoys.
Sonobuoys may be classified by size ( A, B, C,etc.) and type
(active, passive or measurement). Most American sonobuoys are
A-size length 36 inches, diameter 4 7/8 inches. The A-size
sonobuoy weight varies by manufacturer and buoy type, but will
not exceed 39 pounds. Some other countries are using half size
or A/2 as a standard configuration.
All sonobuoys currently in inventory are normally launched from
standard A-size tubes via pneumatics, free fall, or a Cartridge
Actuated Device (CAD). When launched from aircraft they employ a
parachute to retard their descent and provide descent
stability. Shipboard personnel may also launch them by hand or
Over the Side (OTS). All are powered by either salt water
activated magnesium or silver chloride, lithium chemistry, or
thermal batteries and are designed to scuttle at some point
after usable or selected life expires.
Additional information available at
"http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/sonobuoys.htm"
[Summary provided by the Military Analysis Network]
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