Sensing the Outside Environment, Beyond Acoustically

ATI is pleased to offer a new course “Sonobuoy Technology for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare and Beyond.”  This article introduces that course.  Additionally, Mr. Seibert Murphy will be conducting a free-session on this topic.  Details on that free session, and details on the full course can be found below. Air Anti-Submarine Warfare (Air ASW) has played […]

ATI is pleased to offer a new course “Sonobuoy Technology for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare and Beyond.”  This article introduces that course.  Additionally, Mr. Seibert Murphy will be conducting a free-session on this topic.  Details on that free session, and details on the full course can be found below.

Air Anti-Submarine Warfare (Air ASW) has played a pivotal role in naval operations for decades. It is a complex and ever-evolving field that combines cutting-edge technology with tactical prowess. In this course, we will learn about Air ASW by taking a journey through the history of sonobuoy technology, from its humble beginnings to its current state, and explore the many exciting prospects for its future.

What do you think of when you hear the word sonobuoy?  Maybe you think “sonar-buoy” and you would not be too far from the truth because sonobuoy is a mashup of the two words. Thinking about sonobuoys used in Air ASW, we have to consider that not only do they play a vital role but they must be designed like other munitions to be handled, transported, stored, then launched from high altitude, survive impacting the ocean, and operate under demanding climate, extreme weather, and sea state conditions.  All while being precise enough to detect submarines (and other undersea vehicles) that are trying to do their very best to remain undetectable. There is a lot going on inside the humble 4.875″ diameter, 36″ long sonobuoy.

Air ASW traces its roots back to World War I when aircraft were first used to search for submarines. Early attempts were rudimentary, with pilots relying on visual observations and basic weapons. However, these pioneering efforts set the stage for the development of more sophisticated ASW tactics and equipment.

The outbreak of World War II saw a rapid evolution in ASW. By 1942 allied forces had developed sonobuoy technology and sonar-equipped aircraft to detect submarines in undersea combat. Depth charges and torpedoes were also refined for aerial use. These advancements proved vital in the Battle of the Atlantic, where convoys depended on ASW to fend off German U-boats.

The Cold War brought further innovations in ASW technology. Aircraft like the P-3 Orion equipped with sonobuoys, advanced sonar signal processing systems, and magnetic anomaly detectors, greatly enhancing their submarine-hunting capabilities. Air ASW operations also played a significant role in the tense standoff between NATO and the Warsaw Pact.

Today, Air ASW remains a critical component of naval strategy. Modern aircraft like the P-8 Poseidon and helicopters such as the MH-60R Seahawk have taken ASW to new heights. These platforms employ cutting-edge sensors, including synthetic aperture radar and acoustic arrays, to detect and track submarines. Additionally, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly being used for ASW missions, providing enhanced flexibility and endurance.

The future of sonobuoy technologies holds exciting possibilities. Advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) will likely improve the success rate of submarine detection as well as environmental monitoring and management. Next generation sonobuoys, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and underwater drones will play a more prominent role in hunting submarines and exploring the challenging underwater environments. High performance embedded computing, along with cooperative and multi-sensor data fusion methods will revolutionize sonobuoy usage by enabling faster and more accurate data processing.

Sonobuoys and associated technologies have been around in popular media since the seventies.  Some of the first examples are as props in shows like “Star Trek” and “Battle Star Galactica.”  You may have seen the eight-sided tubes stacked as props in the shuttle bay or in engineering spaces.  They were often painted silver or gold to give a futuristic look. Sonobuoys played supporting roles in “The Hunt for Red October”, “Crimson Tide”, “JAG” and “Hawaii-Five-O” to name a few.  Unfortunately, sonobuoys are also used for sea air rescue or SAR missions.  In those cases, specialized sonobuoys are used to listen for sounds of flight data recorder’s acoustic beacon, noise anomalies, or even voice communications. Recent examples of search and recovery using sonar and sonobuoy technologies include Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 (MH370) in 2014, and the OceanGate Titan submersible in June 2023.

Over the past 100 years, or so, Air ASW and sonobuoy technology has come a long way from its humble beginnings, evolving into a sophisticated and essential aspect of modern naval operations and ocean research. As technology continues to advance, the future of sonobuoys for Air ASW and beyond promises even greater capabilities. We’ll talk about an ever-changing world, where the keeping a watchful eye over the depths of our world’s oceans ensures a healthy food supply, environmental protection, freedom of navigation, safety and security of the seas, for years to come.

A one-hour, free webinar describing the ATI course “Sonobuoy Technology for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare and Beyond” will be conducted by the instructor on November 6.  You can find more information on that free-session and register to attend by going here.  The full 2-day course will be offered starting December 5.  You can read more about the full course, and register to attend, by going here.  Please consider one or both of these exciting possibilities.

Tracking Contacts with Sonar, TMA

Sonar and Target Motion Analysis Fundamentals is a course being offered by ATI in September.  If you are a submarine sonarman, or if you are an engineer developing tools for use by submarine sonarmen, then this is the course for you!  You surely already understand the meaning and importance of Target Motion Analysis, and this […]

Sonar and Target Motion Analysis Fundamentals is a course being offered by ATI in September. 

If you are a submarine sonarman, or if you are an engineer developing tools for use by submarine sonarmen, then this is the course for you!  You surely already understand the meaning and importance of Target Motion Analysis, and this class will offer insights that you may not have been exposed to in your Navy or workplace training.

Surface Ships use Radar in much the same way that Submarines use Sonar.  One major difference between Surface Ships and Submarines is that stealth is critical to the submarine, and less important to the surface ship.  So, submarines typically do not want to emit any energy from their ship, as that would be detectable by the adversary.  As a result, while Surface Ship Radar actively emits energy, submarine sonar does not.  Submarine Sonars act passively; it only listens to naturally occurring noise, it does not transmit any energy.

When a Surface Ship Radar emits a pulse and listens for a return, the radarman is able to pinpoint the precise location of the contact.  Over time, he can examine the track of his contact, and use this information for tactical purposes.  The process is fairly simple compared to what happens on a submarine.

When a submarine sonarman hears a contact using his passive sonar, he knows nothing more than the direction it is coming from.  Over time, he can develop a time history of the direction to the contact, but that is not the same as a Target Track.  The time history of target direction is of little use for tactical planners; they need to know the track of the contact, which includes the contacts range and direction of travel.  In order to convert the time history of target direction into a usable contact track, the sonarman, or the sonarman’s computer programs, must execute “Target Motion Analysis”.

If you find this explanation interesting, or if it sounds like something that you may be able to apply to your work, please consider joining us for this class.  You can learn more about the class, and register for it here.

A complete listing of all of the courses that ATI can offer upon request can be found here.

Sonar From The Air

I spent most of my career in the sonar business.  It was always assumed that sonar can only work when both the transmitter and the receiver were in the same body of water; air to water sonar was not possible because sonar can not break the air-water interface.   Sure, there were planes that could “dip” […]

I spent most of my career in the sonar business.  It was always assumed that sonar can only work when both the transmitter and the receiver were in the same body of water; air to water sonar was not possible because sonar can not break the air-water interface.   Sure, there were planes that could “dip” a device into the water that would transmit and receive sonar signals, but that is still considered a water-water sonar.  Thanks to the innovative minds of Stanford University, there may now be a way to transmit and receive sonar from an airborne platform.  Who would have thought?

Stanford engineers explain that the Photoacoustic Airborne Sonar System, or PASS, fires a laser into the surface of the water, its intensity pulsed to the desired acoustic frequency, and as this laser energy is absorbed, it creates ultrasonic waves in the water that can act as effective sonar waves, bouncing off underwater objects before returning up to the surface.  “If we can use light in the air, where light travels well, and sound in the water, where sound travels well, we can get the best of both worlds”

This can be a game changer for Anti Submarine Warfare.  Aircraft would be able to search for submarines without dropping sensors into the water.  This would be advantageous because aircraft could search an area more quickly, and the splashing sound of the sensors would not give away the presence of the aircraft.

If sonar interests you, or if you work with sonar, consider taking the upcoming ATI course “Sonar Principles and ASW Analysis.”  This three-day course provides an excellent introduction to underwater sound and highlights how sonar principles are employed in ASW analyses. The course provides a solid understanding of the sonar equation and discusses in-depth propagation loss, target strength, reverberation, arrays, array gain, and detection of signals. 

To learn more about this course, and to register, you can go here.

And, to learn more about other courses offered by ATI, please go to www.aticourses.com

Target Motion Analysis, What’s That, You Ask?

Target Motion Analysis Sonar and Target Motion Analysis Fundamentals is a course being offered by ATI starting on December 19.  If you are a submarine sonarman, or if you are an engineer developing tools for use by submarine sonarmen, then this is the course for you!  You surely already understand the meaning and importance of […]

Target Motion Analysis

Sonar and Target Motion Analysis Fundamentals is a course being offered by ATI starting on December 19. 

If you are a submarine sonarman, or if you are an engineer developing tools for use by submarine sonarmen, then this is the course for you!  You surely already understand the meaning and importance of Target Motion Analysis, and this class will offer insights that you may not have been exposed to in your Navy or workplace training.

Surface Ships use Radar in much the same way that Submarines use Sonar.  One major difference between Surface Ships and Submarines is that stealth is critical to the submarine, and less important to the surface ship.  So, submarines typically do not want to emit any energy from their ship, as that would be detectable by the adversary.  As a result, while Surface Ship Radar actively emits energy, submarine sonar does not.  Submarine Sonars act passively; it only listens to naturally occurring noise, it does not transmit any energy.

When a Surface Ship Radar emits a pulse and listens for a return, the radarman is able to pinpoint the precise location of the contact.  Over time, he can examine the track of his contact, and use this information for tactical purposes.  The process is fairly simple compared to what happens on a submarine.

When a submarine sonarman hears a contact using his passive sonar, he knows nothing more than the direction it is coming from.  Over time, he can develop a time history of the direction to the contact, but that is not the same as a Target Track.  The time history of target direction is of little use for tactical planners; they need to know the track of the contact, which includes the contacts range and direction of travel.  In order to convert the time history of target direction into a usable contact track, the sonarman, or the sonarman’s computer programs, must execute “Target Motion Analysis”.

If you find this explanation interesting, or if it sounds like something that you may be able to apply to your work, please consider joining us for this class.  You can learn more about the class, and register for it here.

A complete listing of all of the courses that ATI can offer upon request can be found here.

This Sounds So Cool ( See what I did there? )

There are so many applications of Acoustics in every day life.  In fact, scientists are coming up with new applications every day.  Many people think of the most popular applications of Acoustics like Ranging and Imaging.  If you think the only applications of Acoustics are Sonar and Ultra Sound Imaging, you would be so wrong. […]

There are so many applications of Acoustics in every day life.  In fact, scientists are coming up with new applications every day.  Many people think of the most popular applications of Acoustics like Ranging and Imaging.  If you think the only applications of Acoustics are Sonar and Ultra Sound Imaging, you would be so wrong.

For example, China has discovered that they can use Acoustics to help them deal with the effects of Global Warming.  In order to increase their water supply during drought periods, China has discovered that by aiming low frequency sound waves at clouds, they can stimulate that cloud into dropping rainfall when it otherwise would not have done so.

As another example, China has also discovered a more efficient way to limit the number of plastic fibers that get come out of washing machines and get released into the drain.  This was required because conventional filters on washing machines do not catch the tiny fibers that can be so destructive to the marine ecosystem.  By using Acoustic filters that produce a type of forcefield in the water, all the fibers can be collected.

Going forward, finding new and important applications for Acoustics is ripe for technical innovation.

To learn more about applications of Acoustics, consider taking the upcoming ATI course  Acoustic Fundamentals, Measurements, and Applications.

This four-day course is intended for engineers and other technical personnel and managers who have a work-related need to understand basic acoustics concepts and how to measure and analyze sound. This is an introductory course and participants need not have any prior knowledge of sound or vibration. Each topic is illustrated by relevant applications, in-class demonstrations, and worked-out numerical examples. The instructor for this course reaches out to all registered students prior to the class to learn about their interests so he can tailor the course to meet their needs.  The upcoming offering of this course is Guaranteed-To-Run.

You can learn more about this course, and register to attend at

Acoustics Fundamentals, Measurements, and Applications – ATI Courses

And, as always, you can learn about the full set of courses offered by ATI at www.aticourses.com

What The Heck Is TMA?

Sonar and Target Motion Analysis Fundamentals is a course being offered by ATI starting on October 19.  Typically, the purpose of this blog is to share the real-world relevance of the material being taught in the class, and typically, there is a lot of real-world relevance to talk about.  Unfortunately, in this case, there is […]

Sonar and Target Motion Analysis Fundamentals is a course being offered by ATI starting on October 19. 

Typically, the purpose of this blog is to share the real-world relevance of the material being taught in the class, and typically, there is a lot of real-world relevance to talk about.  Unfortunately, in this case, there is not much real-world relevance to discuss. 

So, if you are a submarine sonarman, or if you are an engineer developing tools for use by submarine sonarmen, then this is the course for you!  You surely already understand the meaning and importance of Target Motion Analysis, and this class will offer insights that you may not have been exposed to in your Navy or workplace training.

For the rest of the world, since I can’t offer any real-world relevance, I will at least explain what Target Motion Analysis is, and why it is so critical to sonarmen.

Surface Ships use Radar in much the same way that Submarines use Sonar.  One major difference between Surface Ships and Submarines is that stealth is critical to the submarine, and less important to the surface ship.  So, submarines typically do not want to emit any energy from their ship, as that would be detectable by the adversary.  As a result, while Surface Ship Radar actively emits energy, submarine sonar does not.  Submarine Sonars act passively; it only listens to naturally occurring noise, it does not transmit any energy.

When a Surface Ship Radar emits a pulse and listens for a return, the radarman is able to pinpoint the precise location of the contact.  Over time, he can examine the track of his contact, and use this information for tactical purposes.  The process is fairly simple compared to what happens on a submarine.

When a submarine sonarman hears a contact using his passive sonar, he knows nothing more than the direction it is coming from.  Over time, he can develop a time history of the direction to the contact, but that is not the same as a Target Track.  The time history of target direction is of little use for tactical planners; they need to know the track of the contact, which includes the contacts range and direction of travel.  In order to convert the time history of target direction into a usable contact track, the sonarman, or the sonarman’s computer programs, must execute “Target Motion Analysis”.

If you find this explanation interesting, or if it sounds like something that you may be able to apply to your work, please consider joining us for this class.  You can learn more about the class, and register for it here.

A complete listing of our upcoming classes can be found here.

Lastly, a complete listing of all of the courses that ATI can offer upon request can be found here.

Yeah, But What If?

In light of the current news story about the lost submarine, it seemed like Submarine accidents which result in the submarine careening to the sea bottom are spectacular in Hollywood movies and video games, but they do not happen often in real life.  In fact, for the U.S., we have not lost a submarine to […]

In light of the current news story about the lost submarine, it seemed like

Submarine accidents which result in the submarine careening to the sea bottom are spectacular in Hollywood movies and video games, but they do not happen often in real life.  In fact, for the U.S., we have not lost a submarine to the depths since 1968 when USS Scorpion was lost with 99 souls due ( most likely) to an inadvertent activation of a battery or a torpedo.  Prior to that, in 1963, USS Thresher was lost with 129 souls due to ( most likely ) a piping failure during a deep dive.  Due to actions taken as a result of lessons learned from those two mishaps, the U.S. has not had a major submarine loss since then.  The safety record for U.S. Submarines since 1968 has been remarkable, and the envy of other countries.

Yeah, but what if?

To be prudent, the U.S. must assume that there will be submarine accidents in the future, even if they are not U.S. submarines.  For this reason, the U.S. continues to maintain a force dedicated to the rescue of downed submarines.  Undersea Rescue Command (URC) is the U.S. Navy’s official command for the rescue of sailors during a submarine casualty anywhere in the world.   If you would like to learn more about this command, you can read about it here.

The blog author has had some personal experience working with the Undersea Rescue Command, and all comments that follow are the authors personal opinions, and not an official opinion of the U.S. Navy or Applied Technology Institute.  In case you missed that, please go back and read it again.

Two significant issues that confront the Undersea Rescue Command are funding and localization. 

The funding issue arises from the fact that our submarines are so safe, and our safety record is so good, there is a hesitance to pay too much attention ( and funding ) to an organization which may not ever be called into service.  Unfortunately, there is not much the technical community can do about that; it will have to fall upon the Public Relations Office at U.S. Navy. 

Localization, however, is a problem which the technical community can help solve.  When a submarine goes to the bottom, the Undersea Rescue Command jumps into action, and reports to the vicinity of the accident very quickly.  Unfortunately, the Undersea Rescue Command cannot start their rescue mission until the precise location of the sunken submarine is known, and that is often a difficult problem.  Until the submarine is located, the rescue can not actually begin.  Often, in exercises, or in other countries, by the time the submarine is located, it has become a recovery mission rather than a rescue mission. 

So, how can we simplify the task of locating a downed submarine?  Some of the answer lies in the concept of operations, or things that a distressed submarine can do to facilitate the search for them.  Some of the answer lies in advances in sonars and sonar signal processing.  And the rest of the answer lies in innovative new ideas, for example, using AUVs or UUVs to find distressed submarines ( cool idea ). 

Applied Technology Institute is offering several courses in the coming months that will help you brush up on your skills, so that you can apply them to this problem.  You can find information about our Sonar Signal Processing course, and register for the course here.  Additionally, you can find information about our Passive and Active Acoustics Fundamentals course, and register for the course here.  Lastly, a full listing of ATI’s Acoustics and Sonar Engineering Courses ( including AUV and UUV courses ) can be found here.  If you are interested in a course which is not currently on the schedule, please let us know, so we can try to schedule an offering soon.

As I said earlier, the author has had the pleasure of working with the Undersea Rescue Command several years ago, and was very impressed with the hard work and dedication exhibited by all members of their team.  The following picture shows me and the rest of the JHU/APL Team that worked with the URC.  We are posing inside of the Pressurized Rescue Module which travels to the distressed submarine to perform the rescue.  Although no one would ever want to experience being on a submarine in distress, they should feel encouraged that a team as dedicated and qualified as URC is on the job.

Bombers and Subs and Missiles, oh my!

Speaking for myself, I always considered the nuclear triad to include bombers, submarines, and missiles, but, I was wrong. Sandra Erwin points out in her Space News article, we really need to remember that these three components of the triad could not be effective without two other complimentary components, a competent work force to operate […]

Speaking for myself, I always considered the nuclear triad to include bombers, submarines, and missiles, but, I was wrong. Sandra Erwin points out in her Space News article, we really need to remember that these three components of the triad could not be effective without two other complimentary components, a competent work force to operate them, and a modern and reliable Nuclear Command, Control and Communications ( NC3 ) network.

Lt. Gen Jack Weinstein, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration recently pointed out that nuclear modernization efforts cannot be strictly focused on subs, bombers, and missiles, but must also be concerned about modernizing the NC3 system, causing him to remark “The Triad also means space capability.” The Nuclear Posture Review reported that many of the components of the current NC3 system are antiquated technology which has not been modernized in almost 30 years. 

Sandra Erwin reports that the Air Force does have programs under way to modernize communications and early-warning satellites, but integration of these new systems will be very complex, and highly trained work force will be needed to build the systems.

Interestingly, Lt. Gen Weinstein has confidence in the military’s ability to train their people to operate these systems, but he expresses concern about educating the civilian workforce which will also need to be involved.

Applied Technology Institute (ATI) can play an important role in preparing the workforce which will support the future nuclear Triad since it offers a diverse collection of courses which cover all of the domains where the Triad will need to operate; air, sea, and space. Please consider looking at the current set of course offerings at ATI and consider taking some of our courses to better position yourself to make significant contributions to solving the complex problems associated with Strategic Deterrence in the future.  

 

Virginia Class Attack Submarine (SSNs) Program Status and Shortfall Report to Congress

Summary of Congressional Research Service Report https://news.usni.org/2017/06/01/report-congress-virginia-class-attack-submarine-program The Navy has been procuring Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarines since FY1998. The two Virginia-class boats requested for procurement in FY2017 are to be the 25th and 26 th boats in the class. The 10 Virginia-class boats programmed for procurement in FY2014- FY2018 (two per year for five […]
Summary of Congressional Research Service Report
The Navy has been procuring Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarines since FY1998. The two Virginia-class boats requested for procurement in FY2017 are to be the 25th and 26 th boats in the class. The 10 Virginia-class boats programmed for procurement in FY2014- FY2018 (two per year for five years) are being procured under a multiyear-procurement (MYP) contract.
From FY2025 to FY2036, the number of SSNs is projected to experience a dip or valley, reaching a minimum of 41 boats (i.e., 25 boats, or about 38%, less than the 66-boat force-level goal) in FY2029. This projected valley is a consequence of having procured a relatively small number of SSNs during the 1990s, in the early years of the post-Cold War era. Some observers are concerned that this projected valley in SSN force levels could lead to a period of heightened operational strain for the SSN force, and perhaps a period of weakened conventional deterrence against potential adversaries.
The Navy has been exploring options for mitigating the projected valley. Procuring additional Virginia-class boats in the near term is one of those options. In that connection, the Navy has expressed interest in procuring an additional Virginia-class boat in FY2021. Congress also has the option of funding the procurement of one or more additional Virginia-class boats in FY2018-FY2020.
For more information attend
Submarines and Submariners 19-Sep-17 21-Sep-18
Jim Jenkins, President

CNN consults ATIcourses: Our instructor Vincent Capone gives interview!

ATI’s instructors are world-class experts. They are the best in the business, averaging 25 to 35 years of experience, and are carefully selected for their ability to explain advanced technology in a readily understandable manner. ATIcourses was contacted by CNN to gain insight on the technology being employed in search for Malaysia Flight 370 that […]
ATI’s instructors are world-class experts. They are the best in the business, averaging 25 to 35 years of experience, and are carefully selected for their ability to explain advanced technology in a readily understandable manner. ATIcourses was contacted by CNN to gain insight on the technology being employed in search for Malaysia Flight 370 that went down in Indian Ocean.  We are very proud that our instructor for Design, Operation and Data Analysis of Side Scan Sonar Systems course, was recently interviewed by CNN.  You can watch the video by following this link. We are planning to present this course in fall of 2014.  If you are interested in attending, please sent us an email to ATI@ATIcourses.com
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Malaysia Airlines MH370: Should $3bn. be invested to map the ocean floor?

It has been over a month since Malaysia Airlines MH370 went down and the search still continues.  The biggest problem that the searchers face is poor maps on the ocean floor (see below). The majority of the information comes from satellites that infer the shape of the ocean bottom from the shape of the water surface […]
It has been over a month since Malaysia Airlines MH370 went down and the search still continues.  The biggest problem that the searchers face is poor maps on the ocean floor (see below). The majority of the information comes from satellites that infer the shape of the ocean bottom from the shape of the water surface above.  However, satellite are not flying a mission specifically dedicated to the task of mapping the ocean floor.  A mission like that is estimated to cost $100m and none of the governments are willing to commit to this endeavor.  We know more about the surface of Saturn of Jupiter than our own waters.  The best way to map the ocean floor is through  a modern swath-mapping echosounder system.  It would take 20 dedicated ships 10 years to complete this task. This could be achieved for about $3bn.  It sounds like a lot but a lot of disasters could be avoided.  Think of the  nuclear submarine USS San Francisco that crashed into  a seamount in 2005.
The USS San Francisco hit a seamount inadequately recorded on navy charts
In addition, more accurate mapping is also important for fisheries management and conservation, because it’s around the underwater mountains that wildlife tends to congregate. Each seamount is a biodiversity hotspot. What are  your thoughts on this?  Should we explore our own planet first or put all the resources into exploration of other planets?  Please comment below… Read more here.


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Malaysia Airlines flight MH370’s black-box pingers. Technical acoustic information that may be useful to reporters and researchers

The mystery of the missing Malaysia Airline flight MH370 is closer to being solved as authorities have revealed that they have tracked the final unexplained signal emitted by the jet, to the same point in the Indian Ocean, where the jet was believed to have crashed. Time will tell whether this is a definitive lead […]
The mystery of the missing Malaysia Airline flight MH370 is closer to being solved as authorities have revealed that they have tracked the final unexplained signal emitted by the jet, to the same point in the Indian Ocean, where the jet was believed to have crashed. Time will tell whether this is a definitive lead or a false alarm. We all hope it is the beginning to a successful answer. Calling the latest development a promising lead, retired Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, who is leading the search, said that an Australian navy ship had detected two sets of pulse signals that sounded just like an emergency locator beacon. While the first set was heard on Saturday and lasted for two hours and 20 minutes, the Ocean Shield ship then lost contact with the “pings” but turned around and later heard further signals for 13 minutes, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. However, the ship lost contact again and has been trying to relocate the signals. Houston said that in the search so far it is probably the best information that the team has had, adding that the search team is encouraged that it is very close to where it needs to be. He added that he would want more confirmation before he could say ‘this is it’. Here is a list of the equipment that is being employed by the searchers. If you find this information useful, please mention ATICourses.if you use the materials that we have gathered. ATIcourses has a strong set of courses in underwater acoustics and oceanography that provide additional information. Some of our instructors are willing to provide more in-depth information to reporters who are actively covering the Malaysian flight MH370 investigation to provide accurate, in-depth information. Contact us at ati@ATIcourses.com More info
1. Beacon Black Box Locator Acoustic 37.5 KHz Pingers An underwater locator beacon (ULB) or underwater acoustic beacon, also known informally as a pinger, is a device fitted to aviation flight recorders such as the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR). ULBs are also sometimes required to be attached directly to an aircraft fuselage. ULBs are triggered by water immersion; most emit an ultrasonic 10ms pulse once per second at 37.5 kHz ± 1kHz. Maximum detection range A 37.5 kHz (160.5 dB re 1 μPa) pinger can be detectable 1–2 kilometres (0.62–1.24 mi) from the surface in normal conditions and 4–5 kilometres (2.5–3.1 mi) in good conditions. A 37.5 kHz (180 dB re 1 μPa) transponder pinger can be detected 4–5 kilometres (2.5–3.1 mi) in normal conditions and 6–7 kilometres (3.7–4.3 mi) in good conditions. SPECIFICATION: • Operating Frequency: 37.5 kHz  ± 1 kHz (Doppler can shift the measured frequency) • Operating Depth: Surface to 20,000 feet (6100 m or 3.33 nmi) • Pulse Length: Not less than 9 milliseconds (10 millisecond nominal) • Pulse Repetition Rate: Not less than 0.9 pulse per second (1 pulse per second nominal) • Acoustic Output, Initial: 1060 dynes/cm2rms pressure at 1 meter (160.5 dB re 1 UPa/ meter) • Acoustic Output, After 30 days: 700 dynes/cm2rms pressure at 1 meter (157.0 dB re 1 UPa/meter or about 70 % of the nominal range as it degrades) • Radiation Pattern: Rated output over 80 percent of sphere, near omni-directional • Size: 1.3″ diameter x 4″ long (DK100/DK120) • 1.3″ diameter x 2.97″ long (DK130/DK140) • Weight: Less than 7 oz (including battery) (DK100/DK120) • Less than 4.9 oz (including battery)(DK130/DK140) • Power Source: Lithium Battery • Expected range: about 2 nmi slant range radius from source for 37.5 KHz Expected Transmission Loss at 37.5 Khz assuming absorption of 4.2 dB per KIM plus spreading loss of 20 log R or 60 dB + 10 log r for R> 1000 meters 37.5 KHz ———————— 0.31 mi .62 mi 1.25 mi 3.25 mi 6.2 mi 10 mi 100 mi mi Range in KM ———————— 0.5 1 2 5 10 16 160 KM TL =20 log Rkm*1000+ alpha*Rkm 56.1 64.2 74.4 95.0 122.0 151.3 776.1 TL (dB) TL =20 log Rkm*1000+ alpha*Rkm for RKM <1 Km 56.1 64.2 71.4 88.0 112.0 139.2 754.0 TL (dB) TL =60 +10*log Rkm+ alpha*Rkm for RKM.>1 2. Autonomous Underwater Vehicle – Bluefin-21 Search Vehicle   The Bluefin-21 is a highly modular autonomous underwater vehicle able to carry multiple sensors and payloads at once. It boasts a high energy capacity that enables extended operations even at the greatest depths. The Bluefin-21 has immense capability but is also flexible enough to operate from various ships of opportunity worldwide.
Depth Rating 14,763 ft (4,500 m)
Endurance 25 hours @ 3 knots with standard payload
EdgeTech 2200-M 120/410 kHz side scan sonar for search Reson 7125 400 kHz multibeam echosounder for site mapping   http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/products/bluefin-21/   3 Side Scan Sonar Option – EdgeTech 2200   The Full Spectrum chirp side scan sonar is a calibrated wide band digital FM sonar that provides quantitative and qualitative, high resolution, low-noise side scan imagery. It simultaneously transmits linearly swept FM pulses and the user may select the combination of these frequencies dual simultaneous as follows:   120/410 kHz, (most likely for Malaysia Airline Flight 370 Search) 75/410 kHz, 75/120 kHz or 300/600 kHz.   A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) in the Full Spectrum (FSDW) electronics on the AUV or ROV holds the two chirp waveforms to be transmitted.   ATI thinks the side scan frequency is likely to be 120/410 KHz which will give ranges of 250 m to 500m at 120 KHz and 130M to 200m at 400 Khz.   That will imply short detection ranges even for the 120 KHz sonar, say 250 – 500 m per side. The 410 KHz is then used at shorter range (130 – 200 m) to get a higher resolution image. The search pattern must overlap to leave no coverage holes, so the offsets in range between passes may be at most 90 percent of the assured range.   Expected Operational Ranges for the EdgeTech 2200- side scan sonar, depending on Water temperature and salinity. The absorption factor is estimated based on a model from Francois and Garrison, JASA 1982, and a depth of 50m. Absorption decrease slightly as the side scan is towed deeper. The range is to each side and the search rate is likely to be limited to 2.5 or 3.0 knots to keep the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) near the bottom on a long cable scope. Quoted from http://www.edgetech.com/docs/app_note_range.pdf  
  • Freq : 120Khz, Range: 250 to 500m
  • Freq: 410kHz, Range: 130 to > 200m
 
  • Freq : 75kHz, Range: 700 to 800m. 1000m is possible at extreme depths and with special pulses
  • Freq : 270kHz, Range : 150 to 300m
  • Freq : 540kHz, Range: 100 to 150m
  • Freq : 850kHz, Range: 50 to 75m
  http://www.edgetech.com/docs/2200-m_brochure_073107.pdf   4. SeaBat 7125 – Reson 7125 400 kHz multibeam echosounder   The fundamental acoustics with 400 kHz for high resolution, high density surveying which exceeds the most stringent of specifications, and 200kHz for greater range performance. The SeaBat 7125 can be installed on any platform from survey vessels to ROVs and AUVs down to 6000m water depth.   The 400 kHz multibeam echosounder is a multibeam mapping sonar. ATI would expect that it will need to be towed about 150 – 400 m off the bottom to get good signal to noise. It is likely used to map the wreckage after it has been found using the side scan sonar.   Then ATI expects some short range video to confirm and map the wreckage.   http://www.teledyne-reson.com/products/seabat-feature-packs/fp3-frdh/  
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Navy commissions new submarine: USS Minnesota

The Navy commissioned its 10th Virginia-class submarine on Saturday in a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. During the formal ceremony, Pre-Commissioning Unit Minnesota officially became the USS Minnesota. The Minnesota was built in Newport News, with construction beginning in February 2008 and finishing 11 months ahead of schedule in June. Minnesota is 377 feet in […]
The Navy commissioned its 10th Virginia-class submarine on Saturday in a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. During the formal ceremony, Pre-Commissioning Unit Minnesota officially became the USS Minnesota. The Minnesota was built in Newport News, with construction beginning in February 2008 and finishing 11 months ahead of schedule in June. Minnesota is 377 feet in length and has a beam of 34 feet. It displaces 7,800 tons and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. Its reactor plant is designed to last the entire planned 33-year life of the ship, which helps reduce lifecycle cost while increasing the time the ship is available to perform missions. Take a look inside!  


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No More Blue Angels Zooming Through Annapolis Skies

Yes, it appears that sequester is unavoidable.  According to the Department of the Navy press release we won’t be marveling at the flight of Blue Angels above our heads.  If you are one of those who seen them fly, consider yourself lucky.  It won’t be happening for a while. Among other things, he release says the […]
Sequester results: No More Appearances by Blue Anges
Yes, it appears that sequester is unavoidable.  According to the Department of the Navy press release we won’t be marveling at the flight of Blue Angels above our heads.  If you are one of those who seen them fly, consider yourself lucky.  It won’t be happening for a while. Among other things, he release says the Navy plans to shut down Carrier Air Wing Two in April. The air wing is based California, but one of the squadrons VFA-34  is based at Oceana. The Navy also intends to cancel four appearances by the Blue Angels. The Navy will cancel or defer the deployment of up to six ships throughout the month April. The Navy will also defer USNS Comfort’s humanitarian deployment to Central and South America. The USNS Comfort just came into Naval Station Norfolk on Friday. The Navy press release states these actions are being taken to “preserve support for those forces stationed overseas and currently forward-deployed. “We made these choices careful while trying to preserve the ability to reverse or quickly restore negative effects if and when funding is restored.” Find out more http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2013/03/02/department-of-the-navy-response-to-sequestration/
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Do sounds around you effect your mood?

Would you like to know how our everyday soundscapes make you feel – be it happy, excited, productive, sad, uncomfortable, stressed, etc? Soon we all will be able to, thanks to a new exciting research project hosted by the University of Salford, UK called Sound Around You Project. The man behind The Sounds Around You Map Project is […]
Would you like to know how our everyday soundscapes make you feel – be it happy, excited, productive, sad, uncomfortable, stressed, etc? Soon we all will be able to, thanks to a new exciting research project hosted by the University of Salford, UK called Sound Around You Project. The man behind The Sounds Around You Map Project is Researcher Charlie Mydlarz.  He studies at  University of Salford’s Audio and Acoustic Engineering Research Centre, Manchester, UK. He has been building a sound map of the world to investigate how sounds in the everyday environment affect people.
The traditional method of sound surveying is to use trained professionals to go to a specific location to measure and assess a site using dedicated and expensive equipment. This project aims to enfranchise the public by providing them with the opportunity to play an active role in evaluating a soundscape by encouraging people to use their smart phones to record sound clips documenting their community soundscapes.  These are then uploaded to a virtual map along with a set of answers to questions about their selection
All you need to do is capture and tell Charlie about the sounds around you with our free mobile phone and pc software. Participation is easy and fun and will help our research team discover ways to improve the design of our everyday environments. You can watch this video for more explanation.

Introduction to Sound Around You from Martin Bryant on Vimeo.

To get involved visit  www.soundaroundyou.com You might also be interested in  Acoustics, Noise and Sonar Engineering technical training courses offered by ATI.  To view a full list of courses please visit our website.


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Mine-Clearing Dolphins To Be Replaced By NAVY Robots

U.S. Navy-trained dolphins and sea lions have helped detect and disable underwater mines for decades. But a growing swarm of robots will allow the Navy’s squads of sea mammals to begin retiring by 2017, the Navy says. The sea mammals have used their natural sonar or low-light vision to help detect mine threats and even […]
U.S. Navy-trained dolphins and sea lions have helped detect and disable underwater mines for decades. But a growing swarm of robots will allow the Navy’s squads of sea mammals to begin retiring by 2017, the Navy says. The sea mammals have used their natural sonar or low-light vision to help detect mine threats and even call out enemy divers since the 1960s — dolphins in particular helped mark mines during the Persian Gulf War and Iraq War. Their exemplary service is drawing to a close as the Navy turns to a growing fleet of cheaper robots to do the job. Navy-trained sea mammals underwent different types of training depending on their capabilities. For instance, dolphins used their biological sonar to detect the location of sea mines so that they could report back to human handlers with yes or no responses. They could also mark mine locations with buoy lines, or even prepare to disable the mines by attaching explosive charges to them. The impending retirement of the Navy’s sea mammals is part of the broader trend of the U.S. military using robots. Navy efforts include testing robot boats armed with missiles and experimenting with its large X-47B drone capable of taking off from the decks of aircraft carriers.
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ATI Fundamentals of Passive and Active Sonar Short Course

Video Clip: Click to Watch Do You know All There Is to Know About All the Major System Components in a SONAR System? This four-day course is designed for (SOund Navigation And Ranging) SONAR systems engineers, combat systems engineers, undersea warfare professionals, and managers who wish to enhance their understanding of passive and active SONAR or […]
Video Clip: Click to Watch
Do You know All There Is to Know About All the Major System Components in a SONAR System?
This four-day course is designed for (SOund Navigation And Ranging) SONAR systems engineers, combat systems engineers, undersea warfare professionals, and managers who wish to enhance their understanding of passive and active SONAR or become familiar with the “big picture” if they work outside of either discipline. Each topic is presented by instructors with substantial experience at sea. Presentations are illustrated by worked numerical examples using simulated or experimental data describing actual undersea acoustic situations and geometries. Visualization of transmitted waveforms, target interactions, and detector responses is emphasized
Since 1984, the Applied Technology Institute (ATI) has provided leading-edge public courses and onsite technical training. Whether you are a busy engineer, a technical expert or a project manager, you can enhance your understanding of complex systems in a short time. You will become aware of the basic vocabulary essential to interact meaningfully with your colleagues. If you or your team is in need of more technical training, then boost your career with the knowledge needed to provide better, faster, and cheaper solutions for sophisticated systems
What You Will Learn: • The differences between various types of SONAR used on naval platforms today • The fundamental principles governing these systems’ operation • How these systems’ data are used to conduct passive and active operations • How to avoid previous mistakes revealed when systems were taken to sea • Signal acquisition and target motion analysis for passive systems • Waveform and receiver design for active systems • The major cost drivers for undersea acoustic systems Course Outline, Samplers, and Notes Our short courses are designed for individuals involved in planning, designing, building, launching, and operating space and defense systems. Determine for yourself the value of our courses before you sign up. See our samples (See Slide Samples) on some of our courses. Or check out the new ATI channel on YouTube. You will receive a full set of detailed notes at the beginning of the class for future reference and you can add notes and more detail based on the in-class interaction. After completing the course you will also receive a certificate of completion. Please visit our website for more valuable information. About ATI and the Instructors Our mission here at ATI is to provide expert training and the highest quality professional development in space, communications, defense, sonar, radar, and signal processing. We are not a one-size-fits-all educational facility. Our short classes include both introductory and advanced courses. ATI’s instructors are world-class experts who are the best in the business. They are carefully selected for their ability to clearly explain advanced technology. Dr. Harold “Bud” Vincent, Research Associate Professor of Ocean Engineering at the University of Rhode Island and President of DBV Technology, LLC is a U.S. Naval officer qualified in submarine warfare and salvage diving. He has over twenty years of undersea systems experience working in industry, academia, and government (military and civilian). He served on active duty on fast attack and ballistic missile submarines, worked at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and conducted advanced R&D in the defense industry. Dr. Vincent received the M.S. and Ph.D in Ocean Engineering (Underwater Acoustics) from the University of Rhode Island. His teaching and research encompasses underwater acoustic systems, communications, signal processing, ocean instrumentation, and navigation. He has been awarded four patents for undersea systems and algorithms. Dr. Duncan Sheldon has over twenty-five years’ experience in the field of active sonar signal processing. At Navy undersea warfare laboratories (New London, CT, and Newport, RI) he directed a multiyear research program and developed new active sonar waveforms and receivers for ASW and mine warfare. This work included collaboration with U.S. and international sea tests. His experience includes real-time direction at sea of surface sonar assets during ‘free-play’ NATO ASW exercises. He was a Principal Scientist at the NATO Undersea Research Centre at La Spezia, Italy. He received his Ph.D. from MIT in 1969 and has published articles on waveform and receiver design in the U.S. Navy Journal of Underwater Acoustics. Date and Location For the date and location of this short course, please see below: Aug 13-16, 2012 Newport, RI Sincerely, The ATI Courses Team P.S Call today for registration at 410-956-8805 or 888-501-2100 or access our website at www.ATIcourses.com. For general questions please email us at ATI@ATIcourses.com or Join, Link, Follow or Share with us at: Join us on Facebook Link to us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Share with us on Slideshare P.P.S. What Happens at ATI does NOT Stay at ATI because our training helps you and your organization remain competitive in this changing world. Please feel free to call Mr. Jenkins personally to discuss your requirements and objectives. He will be glad to explain in detail what ATI can do for you, what it will cost, and what you can expect in results and future performance.

Was A Killer Whale Killed By NAVY Exercises?

Applied Technology Institute offers a short technical course, Underwater Acoustics For Biologists and Conservation Managers, on April 17-19, 2012 in Washington, DC area.  We thought the news below would be of interest to our readers. It appears that yet another magnificent creature of the deep,  a member of the endangered southern resident killer whales, was […]
Applied Technology Institute offers a short technical course, Underwater Acoustics For Biologists and Conservation Managers, on April 17-19, 2012 in Washington, DC area.  We thought the news below would be of interest to our readers. It appears that yet another magnificent creature of the deep,  a member of the endangered southern resident killer whales, was killed by NAVY exercises. The body of the three-year-old female whale,L112, known both as Sooke and Little Victoria, washed up on a beach near Long Beach, Washington, shortly after the Canadian navy was using sonar in Juan de Fuca Strait. According to witnesses, sonar pings, which were recorded by a series of hydrophones, were preceded by an explosion. The necropsy conducted by the experts shows that the whale died from “significant trauma”. This caused an outrage in environmental community, including David Suzuki Foundation, Georgia Strait Alliance, Greenpeace, Living Oceans, Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Sierra Club B.C., Western Canada Wilderness Committee and the World Wildlife Fund. Under Canada’s Species At Risk Act the killer whales are listed as endangered spices. All of the above mentioned organizations call for ending of the military exercises in the a release of all information about activities in the area that might have contributed to Sooke’s death. What is you opinion on this matter? Please comment below.
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ATI’s Top 5 Engineering Course Samplers of 2011

Video Clip: Click to Watch ATI specializes in short course technical training Our mission here at the Applied Technology Institute (ATI) is to provide expert training and the highest quality professional development in space, communications, defense, sonar, radar, and signal processing. We are not a one-size-fits-all educational facility. Our short classes include both introductory and advanced […]
What Are the Tools of Your Trade?
Video Clip: Click to Watch
ATI specializes in short course technical training
Our mission here at the Applied Technology Institute (ATI) is to provide expert training and the highest quality professional development in space, communications, defense, sonar, radar, and signal processing. We are not a one-size-fits-all educational facility. Our short classes include both introductory and advanced courses. ATI’s Top Five Engineering Courses for 2011 The five engineering courses for 2011 are highlighted below: #1 Practical Statistical Signal Processing – using MATLAB This 4-day course covers signal processing systems for radar, sonar, communications, speech, imaging and other applications based on state-of-the-art computer algorithms. These algorithms include important tasks such as data simulation, parameter estimation, filtering, interpolation, detection, spectral analysis, beamforming, classification, and tracking. Until now these algorithms could only be learned by reading the latest technical journals. This course will take the mystery out of these designs by introducing the algorithms with a minimum of mathematics and illustrating the key ideas via numerous examples using MATLAB. Designed for engineers, scientists, and other professionals who wish to study the practice of statistical signal processing without the headaches, this course will make extensive use of hands-on MATLAB implementations and demonstrations. Attendees will receive a suite of software source code and are encouraged to bring their own laptops to follow along with the demonstrations. Click here for the tutorial #2 Advanced Topics in Digital Signal Processing This four-day course is designed for communication systems engineers, programmers, implementers and managers who need to understand current practice and next generation DSP techniques for upcoming communication systems. DSP is more than mapping legacy analog designs to a DSP implementation. To avoid compromise solution appropriate for an earlier time period, we return to first principles to learn how to apply new technology capabilities to the design of next generation communication systems. Click here for the tutorial #3 Engineering Systems Modeling WithExcel/VBA This two-day course is for engineers, scientists, and others interested in developing custom engineering system models. Principles and practices are established for creating integrated models using Excel and its built-in programming environment, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Real-world techniques and tips not found in any other course, book, or other resource are revealed. Step-bystep implementation, instructor-led interactive examples, and integrated participant exercises solidify the concepts introduced. Application examples are demonstrated from the instructor’s experience in unmanned underwater vehicles, LEO spacecraft, cryogenic propulsion systems, aerospace & military power systems, avionics thermal management, and other projects. Click here for the tutorial #4 Wavelets: A Conceptual, Practical Approach Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT) are in wide use and work very well if your signal stays at a constant frequency (“stationary”). But if the signal could vary, have pulses, “blips” or any other kind of interesting behavior then you need Wavelets. Wavelets are remarkable tools that can stretch and move like an amoeba to find the hidden “events” and then simultaneously give you their location, frequency, and shape. Wavelet Transforms allow this and many other capabilities not possible with conventional methods like the FFT. This course is vastly different from traditional math-oriented Wavelet courses or books in that we use examples, figures, and computer demonstrations to show how to understand and work with Wavelets. This is a comprehensive, in-depth, up-to-date treatment of the subject, but from an intuitive, conceptual point of view. We do look at a few key equations from the traditional literature but only AFTER the concepts are demonstrated and understood. If desired, further study from scholarly texts and papers is then made much easier and more palatable when you already understand the fundamental equations and how they relate to the real world. Click here for the tutorial #5 Computational Electromagnetics This 3-day course teaches the basics of CEM with application examples. Fundamental concepts in the solution of EM radiation and scattering problems are presented. Emphasis is on applying computational methods to practical applications. You will develop a working knowledge of popular methods such as the FEM, MOM, FDTD, FIT, and TLM including asymptotic and hybrid methods. Students will then be able to identify the most relevant CEM method for various applications, avoid common user pitfalls, understand model validation and correctly interpret results. Students are encouraged to bring their laptop to work examples using the provided FEKO Lite code. You will learn the importance of model development and meshing, post- processing for scientific visualization and presentation of results. Click here for the tutorial Course Outline, Samplers, and Notes Determine for yourself the value of these or our other courses before you sign up. See our samples (See Slide Samples) on some of our courses. Or check out the new ATI channel on YouTube. After attending the course you will receive a full set of detailed notes from the class for future reference, as well as a certificate of completion. To see the complete course listing from ATI, click on the links at the bottom of the page. Please visit our website for more valuable information. About ATI and the Instructors Since 1984, ATI has provided leading-edge public courses and onsite technical training to DoD and NASA personnel, as well as contractors. ATI short courses are designed to help you keep your professional knowledge up-to-date. Our courses provide you a practical overview of space and defense technologies which provide a strong foundation for understanding the issues that must be confronted in the use, regulation and development such complex systems. Our short courses are designed for individuals involved in planning, designing, building, launching, and operating space and defense systems. Whether you are a busy engineer, a technical expert or a project manager, you can enhance your understanding of complex systems in a short time. You will also become aware of the basic vocabulary essential to interact meaningfully with your colleagues. ATI’s instructors are world-class experts who are the best in the business. They are carefully selected for their ability to clearly explain advanced technology.


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Psssst…What Have You Heard about ATI’s Acoustics Course?

Video Clip: Click to Watch ATI’S ACOUSTICS FUNDAMENTALS, MEASUREMENTS & APPLICATIONS COURSE Here is what we have heard from some of our students: “Great instructor made the course interesting and informative. Helped clear-up many misconceptions I had about sound and its measurement” “Enjoyed the in-class demonstrations; they help explain the concepts. Instructor helped me with a […]
A Typical Acoustic Impulse Response of a Room
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ATI’S ACOUSTICS FUNDAMENTALS, MEASUREMENTS & APPLICATIONS COURSE
Here is what we have heard from some of our students:
  • “Great instructor made the course interesting and informative. Helped clear-up many misconceptions I had about sound and its measurement”
  • “Enjoyed the in-class demonstrations; they help explain the concepts. Instructor helped me with a problem I was having at work, worth the price of the course!”
This three-day course is intended for engineers and other technical personnel and managers who have a work-related need to understand basic acoustics concepts and how to measure and analyze sound. This is an introductory course and participants need not have any prior knowledge of sound or vibration. Each topic is illustrated by appropriate applications, in-class demonstrations, and worked-out numerical examples. Since 1984, the Applied Technology Institute (ATI) has provided leading-edge public courses and onsite technical training to DoD and NASA personnel, as well as contractors. Whether you are a busy engineer, a technical expert or a project manager, you can enhance your understanding of complex systems in a short time. You will become aware of the basic vocabulary essential to interact meaningfully with your colleagues. If you or your team is in need of more technical training, then boost your career with the knowledge needed to provide better, faster, and cheaper solutions for sophisticated systems. Why not take a short course? ATI short courses are less than a week long and are designed to help you keep your professional knowledge up-to-date. Our courses provide a practical overview of space and defense technologies which provide a strong foundation for understanding the issues that must be confronted in the use, regulation and development of complex systems. Course Outline and Notes The course starts with introductory concepts. With this background, the students are then schooled in waves, radiation and measurements. The course concludes with a discussion of representative applications, including outdoor sound propagation (temperature and wind effects) and environmental effects. What You Will Learn:
  • How to make proper sound level measurements
  • How to analyze and report acoustic data
  • The basis of decibels (dB) and the A-weighting scale
  • How intensity probes work and allow near-field sound measurements
  • How to measure radiated sound power and sound transmission loss
  • How to use third-octave bands and narrow-band spectrum analyzers
  • How the source-path-receiver approach is used in noise control engineering
  • How sound builds up in enclosures like vehicle interiors and rooms
After attending this course you will receive a full set of detailed notes at the beginning of the class for future reference and can add notes and more detail based on the in-class interaction, as well as a certificate of completion. Each student will also receive a copy of the textbook, Acoustics: An Introduction by Heinrich Kuttruff. Please visit our website st the links below for more valuable information. About ATI and the Instructors Our mission here at ATI is to provide expert training and the highest quality professional development in space, communications, defense, sonar, radar, and signal processing. We are not a one-size-fits-all educational facility. Our short classes include both introductory and advanced courses. ATI’s instructors are world-class experts who are the best in the business. They are carefully selected for their ability to clearly explain advanced technology. Dr. Alan D. Stuart, Associate Professor Emeritus of Acoustics, Penn State, has over forty years experience in the field of sound and vibration. He has degrees in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and engineering acoustics. For over thirty years he has taught courses on the Fundamentals of Acoustics, Structural Acoustics, Applied Acoustics, Noise Control Engineering, and Sonar Engineering on both the graduate and undergraduate levels as well as at government and industrial organizations throughout the country. Dates and Locations The dates and locations of this short course, are below: April 10-12, 2012 in Silver Spring, MD July 17-19, 2012 in Bremmerton, WA


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ATI’s Practical Statistical Signal Processing — using MATLAB, January 9-12, 2012 (Laurel, MD)

Could you use a toolbox of Digital Signal Processing algorithms written by the well-known professor Dr. Stephan Kay, as well as his personal instruction on how to use these algorithms to solve practical problems in your area of work? At his January class you will receive his two textbooks, a set of printed notes, and […]
Could you use a toolbox of Digital Signal Processing algorithms written by the well-known professor Dr. Stephan Kay, as well as his personal instruction on how to use these algorithms to solve practical problems in your area of work? At his January class you will receive his two textbooks, a set of printed notes, and a disk with MATLAB code implementing his algorithms.   ATI’s Practical Statistical Signal Processing — using MATLAB course will be presented on January 9-12, 2012 in Laurel, MD.   This 4-day course covers signal processing systems for radar, sonar, communications, speech, imaging and other applications based on state-of-the-art computer algorithms. These algorithms include important tasks such as data simulation, parameter estimation, filtering, interpolation, detection, spectral analysis, beamforming, classification, and tracking. Until now these algorithms could only be learned by reading the latest technical journals. This course will take the mystery out of these designs by introducing the algorithms with a minimum of mathematics and illustrating the key ideas via numerous examples using MATLAB. Designed for engineers, scientists, and other professionals who wish to study the practice of statistical signal processing without the headaches, this course will make extensive use of hands-on MATLAB implementations and demonstrations. Attendees will receive a suite of software source code and are encouraged to bring their own laptops to follow along with the demonstrations. Each participant will receive two books, Fundamentals of Statistical Signal Processing: Vol. I and Vol. 2 by instructor Dr. Kay. A complete set of notes and a suite of MATLAB m-files will be distributed in source format for direct use or modification by the user. See selected samples of the course materials. View course sampler Instructor: Dr. Steven Kay is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Rhode Island and the President of Signal Processing Systems, a consulting firm to industry and the government. He has over 25 years of research and development experience in designing optimal statistical signal processing algorithms for radar, sonar, speech, image, communications, vibration, and financial data analysis. Much of his work has been published in over 100 technical papers and the three textbooks, Modern Spectral Estimation: Theory and Application, Fundamentals of Statistical Signal Processing: Estimation Theory,, and Fundamentals of Statistical Signal Processing: Detection Theory. Dr. Kay is a Fellow of the IEEE. Tuition: Original: $2,095 Special blog price if you register before January 1, 2012: $1,995 ( We are testing how many people read the ATI blog and will register based on the blog information)   Start your New Year with proper training! Register here.   This link shows you the current SCHEDULE of all courses.   Please circulate the information to any and all you think will be interested courses as well.


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Why are Submarines Painted Black?

Video Clip: Click to Watch From an attack (SSN) to a fleet ballistic missile (SSBN) submarine, submarines are presented as a system of sub-systems A submarine is among the most technologically advanced machines ever built. The combination of computer technology, precision navigation, atmosphere regeneration, sensitive sonar equipment, sound quieting, nuclear power, and precision weapons make for […]
Seaman paint topside on the USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723)
Video Clip: Click to Watch
From an attack (SSN) to a fleet ballistic missile (SSBN) submarine, submarines are presented as a system of sub-systems
A submarine is among the most technologically advanced machines ever built. The combination of computer technology, precision navigation, atmosphere regeneration, sensitive sonar equipment, sound quieting, nuclear power, and precision weapons make for a most complex environment. Submarines are always deployed in the oceans around the world. Submarines are painted black to help them hide, as it is essential for submarines to hide while doing their job. The black color has proven to best help the submarine hide in the ocean. Whether you are a busy engineer, a technical expert or a project manager, you can enhance your understanding of complex systems, such as submarines, in a short time. Since 1984, the Applied Technology Institute (ATI) has provided leading-edge public short courses and onsite technical training to military personnel, as well as contractors. Why not take a short course? ATI short courses are less than a week long and are designed to help you keep your professional knowledge up-to-date. Our courses provide a practical overview of technologies which provide a strong foundation for understanding the issues that must be confronted in the use, regulation and development of these complex underwater systems. You will also become aware of the basic vocabulary essential to interact meaningfully with your colleagues. SUBMARINES AND ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE COURSE This three-day course presents the fundamental philosophy of submarine design, construction, and stability as well as the utilization of submarines as cost-effective warships at sea. A thumbnail history of waging war by coming up from below the surface of the sea relates prior gains—and, prior set-backs. Today’s submarine tasking is discussed in consonance with the strategy and policy of the US, and the goals, objectives, mission, functions, tasks, responsibilities, and roles of the US Navy. The foreboding efficacy of submarine warfare is analyzed referencing some enthralling calculations for its Benefits-to-Cost, in that Submarines Sink Ships! The submarine threat for the 21st century is discussed, posing such questions as: “Will diesel-electric submarines, as a cost-effective weapon for the Third World, be a significant threat to the national economies of other nations? Is shallow-water ASW in the littoral approaches to a coastline of a country embroiled in a Low-Intensity-Conflict a Mission-Essential-Need— for the US too? Will it still be best to sink a submarine while it is in port? So, where do We, the People… go from here? Herein the submarine is presented as a system in its self, thus an aim of the instructor is to clarify the essences of sub-system interfaces for engineers and scientists involved in testing or R&D for submarine systems. Attendees who in the past have worked with specific submarine sub-systems can consider this course as Continuing Education. Also, because of its introductory nature, this course will be enlightening to those just entering the field. Course Outline: • Thumbnail History of Warfare from Beneath the Sea: From a glass-barrel in circa 300 BC, to SSN 774 in 2004. • The Efficacy of Submarine Warfare — WWI and WWII: A Benefit/Cost Analysis to depict just how well Submarines Sink Ships! • Submarine Organization — and, Submariners: What is the psyche and disposition of those Qualified in Submarines, as distinguished by a pair of Dolphins? And, will new submariners be able to measure up to the legend of Steel Boats, and Iron Men! • Submarine Design & Construction: Fundamentals of Form, Fit, & Function, plus an analysis of ship-stability. • Principles of Sound in the Sea: A basis for a rudimentary primer on the “Calculus of Acoustical Propagation.” • Combat System Suite — Components & Nomenclature: In OHIO, LOS ANGELES, SEAWOLF, and VIRGINIA. • Submarines of the World — by Order of Battle: How Many, from Where. To do What, to Whom? • Antisubmarine Warfare — Our Number One Priority: For the USN, ASW is a combined-arms task for forces from above, on, and below the surface of the sea — inclusive of littoral waters — to engage The Enemy Below! This course is valuable to engineers and scientists in the research, development or testing of submarine systems, as well as newcomers to the field or those who want an overview Additional Resource: Capt. Wellborn’s article in PDF format, The Efficacy of Submarine Warships, provides a useful overview of the topic of submarine design, construction and deployment. ADVANCED UNDERSEA WARFARE COURSE Advanced Undersea Warfare (USW) covers the latest information about submarine employment in future conflicts. The course is taught by a leading innovator in submarine tactics. The roles, capabilities and future developments of submarines in littoral warfare are emphasized. The technology and tactics of modern nuclear and diesel submarines are discussed. The importances of stealth, mobility, and firepower for submarine missions are illustrated by historical and projected roles of submarines. Differences between nuclear and diesel submarines are reviewed. Submarine sensors (sonar, ELINT, visual) and weapons (torpedoes, missiles, mines, special forces) are presented. Advanced USW gives you a wealth of practical knowledge about the latest issues and tactics in submarine warfare. The course provides the necessary background to understand the employment of submarines in the current world environment. Advanced USW is valuable to engineers and scientists who are working in research, development or testing of submarine systems. It provides the knowledge and perspective to understand advanced USW in shallow water and regional conflicts. Course Outline: • Mechanics and Physics of Submarines — Stealth, mobility, firepower, and endurance. The hull – tradeoffs between speed, depth, and payload. The “Operating Envelope”. The “Guts” – energy, electricity, air, and hydraulics. • Submarine Sensors — Passive sonar. Active sonar. Radio frequency sensors. Visual sensors. Communications and connectivity considerations. Tactical considerations of employment. • Submarine Weapons and Off-Board Devices — Torpedoes. Missiles. Mines. Countermeasures. Tactical considerations of employment. Special Forces. • Historical Employment of Submarines — Coastal defense. Fleet scouts. Commerce raiders. Intelligence and warning. Reconnaissance and surveillance. Tactical considerations of employment. • Cold War Employment of Submarines — The maritime strategy. Forward offense. Strategic anti-submarine warfare. Tactical considerations of employment. • Submarine Employment in Littoral Warfare — Overt and covert “presence”. Battle group and joint operations support. Covert mine detection, localization and neutralization. Injection and recovery of Special Forces. Targeting and bomb damage assessment. Tactical considerations of employment. Results of recent out-year wargaming. • Littoral Warfare “Threats” — Types and fuzing options of mines. Vulnerability of submarines compared to surface ships. The diesel-electric or air-independent propulsion submarine “threat”. Vulnerability of submarines compared to surface ships. The “Brown-water” acoustic environment. Sensor and weapon performance. Non-acoustic anti-submarine warfare. Tactical considerations of employment. • Advanced Sensor, Weapon & Operational Concepts — Future submarine concepts. Strike, Anti-air and anti Theater Ballistic Missile weapons. Autonomous underwater vehicles and deployed off-board systems. Improved C-cubed. The blue-green laser and other enabling technology. Some unsolved issues of jointness. Course Outline, Samplers, and Notes This basic and advance course are designed for individuals involved in planning, designing, building, launching, and operating submarine systems. Determine for yourself the value of our courses before you sign up. View course sampler for Submarines and Anti-Submarine Warfare course here or the Advanced Undersea Warfare course here. https://aticourses.com/sampler/Submarines%20&%20their%20Combat%20Systems.pdf https://aticourses.com/sampler/Advanced_Undersea_Warfare.pdf After attending the course you will receive a full set of detailed notes from the class for future reference, as well as a certificate of completion. Please visit our website for more valuable information. About ATI and the Instructors Our mission here at ATI is to provide expert training and the highest quality professional development in space, communications, defense, sonar, radar, and signal processing. We are not a one-size-fits-all educational facility. Our short classes include both introductory and advanced courses. ATI’s instructors are world-class experts who are the best in the business. They are carefully selected for their ability to clearly explain advanced technology. Submarines and Anti-Submarine Warfare course Captain Ray Wellborn, USN (retired) served over 13 years of his 30-year Navy career in submarines. He has a BSEE degree from the US Naval Academy and a MSEE degree from the Naval Postgraduate School. He also has an MA from the Naval War College. He had two major commands at sea and one ashore: USS MOUNT BAKER (AE 34), USS DETROIT (AOE 4), and the Naval Electronics Systems Engineering Center, Charleston. He was Program Manager for Tactical Towed Array Sonar Systems and Program Director for Surface Ship and Helicopter ASW Systems for the Naval Sea Command in Washington, DC. After retirement in 1989, he was the Director of Programs, ARGOTEC, Inc.: and, oversaw the manufacture of advanced R&D models for large underwater acoustic projectors. From 1992 to 1996, he was a Senior Lecturer in the Marine Engineering Department of Texas A&M, Galveston. Since 1996, he has been an independent consultant for International Maritime Affairs. Advanced Undersea Warfare course Capt. James Patton (USN ret.) is President of Submarine Tactics and Technology, Inc. and is considered a leading innovator of pro- and anti-submarine warfare and naval tactical doctrine. His 30 years of experience includes actively consulting on submarine weapons, advanced combat systems, and other stealth warfare-related issues to over 30 industrial and government entities. While at OPNAV, Capt Patton actively participated in submarine weapon and sensor research and development, and was instrumental in the development of the towed array. As Chief Staff Officer at Submarine Development Squadron Twelve (SUBDEVRON 12), and as Head of the Advanced Tactics Department at the Naval Submarine School, he was instrumental in the development of much of the current tactical doctrine. Commodore Bhim Uppal former Director of Submarines for the Indian Navy and he is now a consultant with American Systems Corporation. He will discuss the performance and tactics of diesel submarines in littoral waters. He has direct experience onboard FOXTROT, KILO, and Type 1500 diesel electric submarines. He has over 25 years of experience in diesel submarines with the Indian Navy and can provide a unique insight into the thinking, strategies, and tactics of foreign submarines. He helped purchase and evaluate Type 1500 and KILO diesel submarines. Times, Dates, and Locations For the times, dates and locations of all of these two short courses, please access the ATI website here.


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USS VIRGINIA SSN 774-A NEW STEEL SHARK AT SEA

Submarine Modernization: On 4 July 2004, USS VIRGINIA (SSN 774) joined the Fleet.  She is 377 feet in length, 34 feet in the beam, has a draft of 30.5 feet at the designer’s waterline, DWL, and displaces 7800 dwt submerged.  She is designed with Berthing and Messing to accommodate 14 officers and a crew of […]
Submarine Modernization: On 4 July 2004, USS VIRGINIA (SSN 774) joined the Fleet.  She is 377 feet in length, 34 feet in the beam, has a draft of 30.5 feet at the designer’s waterline, DWL, and displaces 7800 dwt submerged.  She is designed with Berthing and Messing to accommodate 14 officers and a crew of 120.
  VIRGINIA’s Length-to-Breadth, L/B, ratio of 11.09 is comparable to the 11.0 for LOS ANGELES Class submarines with a 33-foot beam, and is somewhat more than SEAWOLF’s 8.4 with a 42-foot beam, but a little less than OHIO’s 13.3 also with a 42-foot beam. Note that the US Navy officially will neither confirm nor deny any US submarine’s speed except to be greater than 20 knots, and a test-depth greater than 400 feet. The wall-thickness and diameter of VIRGINIA’s cold-rolled, HY-120 steel inner pressure hull, with scrupulously designed hull-penetrations and conscientious seam-welds, allows submarine design engineers to impose a safe-diving test-depth of 1600 feet, according to the open literature. Her design for a reduced number of needed hull-penetration features eight non-hull penetrating antennae packages. VIRGINIA is powered by a S9G PWR, a Pressurized Water Reactor, made by General Electric that will not require re-coring for the life of the ship.  Her propulsion plant is rated at 40,000 SHP for a single shaft with a maximum rated submerged speed of 34 knots, according to the open literature.  She is designed with SEAWOLF-level acoustic quietness for stealth as well as acoustic tile cladding for active acoustic signal absorption. VIRGINIA’s integral 9-man lock-out chamber can be used with the Advanced SEAL Delivery System, ASDS, which is mini-submarine capable of “dry” delivery of a SEAL team.  Moreover, the internal torpedo magazine space can be adapted to provide 2400 cubic feet of space for up to 40 SEAL team-members and their equipment. VIRGINIA is capable of carrying and operating advanced Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, UUV’s, wake-homing detection equipment, and a deployable active bi-static sonar source. The bottom-line is that VIRGINIA is an extremely capable submarine, and in the hands of a well-trained, experienced ship’s company skilled in the operational arts of submarine warfare, has an incisive ability for both deep ocean and shallow water operations of all kinds— including Anti-Submarine Warfare. But, of all the technological advances of the 20th century, electrical and electronic ones top my long list of amazing achievements.  On my military-related list of amazing achievements, there are two technological advancements that stand-out to me.  One is for the technological improvements in the electronic instruments for precise navigation, and the other is for the advances in military command-control-communications. Navigation:  The Art—and, the Science. Some 439 years after Magellan’s historic circumnavigation of the world on May 10, 1960, USS TRITON (SSRN 586) completed the first submerged circumnavigation of the world following Magellan’s route having sailed some 41,000 miles in eighty-four days. Two years before, NAUTILUS accomplished a historic navigational feat by transiting 1,830 miles submerged in four days from the Pacific to the Atlantic—and, in doing so, became the first ship to pass over the North Pole—NAUTILUS 90-NORTH! On July 20, 1960, while submerged off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, with a self-contained navigational system for precise launch-position fixing fired two Polaris A-1 missiles that hit their respective bull’s eyes some 1200 miles down range, and then signaled: “FROM THE DEEP, POLARIS ON TARGET—RABORN.” So, for comparison to these early strivings for more precise navigation on the open sea, consider the most sophisticated state-of-the art computer data processor now known, which precisely calculates the output of an absolutely ingenious arrangement of gyros and accelerometers that sense the slightest nano-scale movement: The SINS, Ship’s Inertial Navigation System. But, in my biased opinion, at the top of the list are the technological advancements resident in the Common Submarine Radio Room, CSRR, for a US submarine to be in constant communication with its Submarine Operating Authority while submerged at sea anywhere in the oceans of the world. Communication:  The Science—and, the Technology. For historical comparison of technological advances, note that the first nationally authorized submarine warship was not officially commissioned until 1900, while the first transatlantic radio-telegraph was not operational until 1901.  Moreover, it was not until some fifteen years later on May 31, 1916, that the British Grand Fleet engaged the German’s High Seas Fleet in the Battle of Jutland in the North Sea just off the Danish Peninsula of Jutland. A bold German Admiral, Reinhard Scheer, led the German Fleet out of Helgoland Bay, through which 20 years later would be the western approaches for the Kiel Canal.  Admiral Scheer intended to break Britain’s blockade of Germany.  British wireless-radio monitors, acting as communication-intercept operators, diligently alerted Admiral Sir John Jellicoe with their timely intercepts of German command messages that were directing naval activity at Wilhelmshaven. Admiral Jellicoe immediately ordered the British Fleet to sea, and the battle was joined at sea about 80 miles west of Jutland.  Rifled naval guns, 12” in diameter, fired 1000-pound projectiles with 400-pound powder charges that screamed at a muzzle velocity of about 1500 mph to strike targets over-the-horizon at a range of some 11 miles.  Naval warfare for the 20th century opened dramatically with the first act of “Shock and Awe.” Notwithstanding the advent of coal-powered, steam-engine driven, steel-framed and steel-clad DREADNOUGHT battleships, fast cruisers, expendable destroyers, et al, one of the most significant transpirations for naval warfare in WW-I, in my opinion, was the first use of radio-telegraphy communications to all the ships at sea; and, its concomitant intelligence nemesis, COMINT– communication intercepts. Militarists profess that the ability of the German Naval Command to communicate directly with U-boats at sea greatly enhanced their successes in both WW-I and WW-II. And, so it is today.   The Common Submarine Radio Room, CSRR. VIRGINIA’s modern communication suite installed as a CSRR is well-suited for the worldwide battle space of the 21st century. A modernized Ship Self-Defense System, SSDS, will replace the Advanced Combat Direction System, ACDS, in VIRGINIA-Class upgrades. All the software programs for the CCSM, Command-Control System Module, in VIRGINIA are compatible with the Joint Military Command Information System, JMCIS. For instance, the AN-USC-38 EHF transceiver in VIRGINIA has LINK-11 and NATO LINK-11 compatibly programmed for JTIDS. The AN/WSC-8, Challenge Athena, houses a “Commercial Wide-Band Satellite Communication’s Program” to support the Tomahawk, Submarine Launched Cruise Missile, SLCM, land-attack configuration. The AN/USQ-123 (CDL-N), Command Data Link, Navy, is used for receipt of signal-and-imagery intelligence data from remote sensors, and for the transmission that links sensor-control data to/from airborne and submarine platforms. The Global Command & Control System, GCCS, is a multi-service information management system for maritime users that can display and disseminate data through an extensive array of common interfaces.  GCCS also is a multi-sensor data-fusion system for command analyses and decision-making.  Thus, in the main, it is utilized for overall force-coordination. The Ocean Surveillance Information System, OSIS, receives, processes, displays, and disseminates joint-service information regarding fixed and mobile targets on land and at sea. The Multi-Level Security System, MLS, also known as “Radiant Mercury,” among other things MLS automatically sanitizes highly classified data, and then re-issues it as SI-GENSER RELEASABLE to “Shooters” while still protecting sources and methods, national sensitivities, and foreign release-ability of the tactical picture. The innovative design of the upgraded Automated Digital Network System encompasses all RF circuits for routing/switching of both strategic and tactical C4I, Command-Control-Communication-Computer Information, with TCP/ICP, Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Control Protocol, thereby linking Battle Group units with each other and with the DISN, Digital Information System Network. The ADNS now has 224 ship-based units, and four shore-based sites.  Network operation centers are linked to three Naval Computer and Telecommunication Area Master Stations plus one in the Persian Gulf at Bahrain.  Whereas, the Global Broadcast Service, GBS, is the follow-on for US Navy UHF radio communication via satellite.  By 2009, the Advanced Wideband System, AWS, will be the communication upgrade for all US submarines and surface ships, and a version planned for US aircraft installation is under study. Submarine Tasking. So, what are submarines task to do?  Primer: Submarines Sink Ships! Second to that, submarines can hunt and kill other opposing submarines in the medium with them.  In more poignant warfare scenarios, submarines can be tasked to mine sea-lane choke points as well as enemy harbors.  Moreover, pursuant to mission accomplishment in support of national policies, and in particular for a duly delineated national armed-force objective to “Project National Power,” submarines can launch land-attack missiles from international waters, as directed by the National Command Authority, NCA– acting unilaterally. In addition, submarines can be tasked to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance operations inside and outside the battle space, covertly.  In that same vein, submarines can be tasked to insert, and, or retract Special Operating Forces on the shores of the world’s ocean-littoral– covertly. For deployments, submarines provide indirect, associated, and direct Battle Group support.  Time-On-Station for modern nuclear-powered submarines is dependent only on the amount of food they have to feed their crew—like 90 days without replenishment. Note, after 60 days, dreams of a real milk-shake, and a … become more frequent, seemingly with an exponentially increasing persistency. As a precursor for a discussion on submarine weapons, consider the following “insider” information about sensing an acoustic event—as heard from each side.  The sound of flooding a torpedo tube with a weapon in it is a distinguishable acoustic event.  In an analogy to Blind Man’s Bluff, this is the sound-equivalent of the sight of a pistol being drawn from its holster.  Likewise, hearing a torpedo tube’s outer door open is analogous to seeing a pistol’s hammer being cocked.  Doubtless, these are distinctive sounds that are instinctive indicators that you are engaged in mortal combat, a fight—a gunfight. Note that at sea, water from below, like water from above, wets both teams. Submarine Weapons. The Mark-48 Mod-6, Advanced Capability, ADCAP, Heavyweight (heavier than the water it displaces) Acoustic-Homing Torpedo, is an automated marvel of essentially an unmanned underwater vehicle that delivers an explosive charge as a very “numbing sting.” The ADCAP is self-propelled by an axial-flow, pump-jet propulsion system driven by an external combustion, gas-piston engine fuel-fired by a mono-propellant, Otto Fuel II. There are two run-speed selections: LOW, for 40 knots and a range of 50 km; and, HIGH, for 55 knots and a range of 38 km.  The MK-48 is 228” in length and 21” in diameter weighing in at 3527 pounds, which is about 600 pounds heavier than the sea-water its volume displaces.  Its warhead is 590-lb of High Explosive, with a 1.5 multiplying factor for its TNT-equivalent. Note, from the perspective of the target, sensing this torpedo coming at you is analogous to you finding yourself driving precariously on an icy road in the middle of nowhere, and then alarmingly you sight through your driver’s-side window a pick-up truck barreling down on you at about 63 mph– loaded with 900 sticks of dynamite. From this visual input, you analytically conclude that you have less than a minute in these icy conditions to think and act to avoid collision—and thus, realize that the only thing you have time to do is bend over and kiss yourself good-bye. The submarine-launched Tomahawk Land-Attack Missile, TLAM, has a range of 900 km with a 1000-pound High Explosive warhead.  With a Terrain Contour Matching Aided Internal Navigation System, TAINS, its circular-error probable, CEP, is inside 10m for 50% of its shot-trials—like in through your front-room’s window instead of knocking on the front-door.         Submarine Combat System. VIRGINIA’s combat system is a suite of very high-tech devices that each satisfy a Mission Essential Need. The suite has devices designed to sense danger—and opportunity.  These devices are a very effective set of acoustic sensors.  There is a reel-able linear towed array sonar, and a thin-line array—TB-16 and TB-29. Just inside the thin-skinned acoustic “window” of the outer hull around the bow is a very sophisticated, state-of-the-art active/passive spherical sonar array, AN-BQQ-5E.  In addition, there are wide-aperture flank-mounted passive arrays, AN-BQG-5D; a keel-and-fin-mounted high sonic frequency active sonar for under-the-ice ranging and maneuvering as well as for mine detection and avoidance; a medium sonic frequency active sonar for target ranging; a sonar sensor for intercept of active-ranging signals from an attacking torpedo; and, a self-noise acoustic monitoring system.  Moreover, all acoustic systems have advanced signal processors– replete with programmed algorithms for beam-forming. Electronic System Measures, ESM, include the AN-BRD-7F Radio Direction Finder; the electronic signal monitors, AN-WLR-1H, and AN-WLR-8(V) 2/6. The ESM suite also includes AN-WSQ-5 and AN-BLD-1 Radio Frequency Intercept Periscope-Mounted Devices, AN-WLQ-4(V) 1, AN-WLR-10, and AN-BLQ-10 Radar Warning Devices. Active electro-magnetic devices in this suite are the AN-BPS-15A and BPS-16 are I- and J-Band navigational piloting radar respectively with a waveguide mounted in a retractable mast, and a waveguide mounted in a periscope. The Combat Data System, CDS MK-2, has an AN-UYK-7 computer-data processing unit.  IBM’s AN-BSY-2 is a re-designed combat system from the decade-earlier one in SEAWOLF.  VIRGINIA’s “Busy-Two” is reprogrammed with 2.2-million lines of ADA code loaded in some 200 Data Processors, AN-UYK-43’s and UYK-44’s. This CDS manages input from an integrated digital upgrade of the AN-UYS-2 Acoustic Signal Processors with their Expanded Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording System. The Torpedo Fire Control System, TFCS, is on a high-speed data bus with a distributed architecture for redundancy. The TFCS is programmed with advanced algorithms for Target Motion Analysis, TMA, and is operated from multi-function consoles that also are used for information management. Target Motion Analysis—the Relative Motion Triangle: A Bearing versus Time Plot—to determine Bearing-Rate. TFCS Stick Diagrams– in the minds of submarine officers. Shallow water is an anathema for submariners because submarines on the surface are exceptionally vulnerable.  Thus, it is said that the best place to sink a submarine is while it is in port.  Does that mean that VIRGINIA cannot operate effectively in shallow water?  Absolutely not!  Are VIRGINIA’s submarine officers aware of the “shallow water” effects when operating within 238 feet of the bottom—seven times the “height” of her displaced volume– and, by geometry, when in 125 feet of water, a 20-degree diving angle will result in “kissing” the bottom?  Of course, they are—we bought them books, and sent them to school.  In a deadly analogy, be aware that a shark can attack you as you wade in shallow water.  Sic ‘em, ‘Ginia! Another disconcerting imprecation to submariners is hearing the “pings” of active sonar followed by the shrill of small, high-speed, super-cavitations screws, which are the distinctive sounds of an acoustic torpedo running to …ruin your entire day. French author Jules Verne, 1828-1905, entertained us with exciting tales of undersea adventure featuring his fictional submarine Nautilus in his book “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”  Notably, our USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) logged much more than 80,000 nm—20,000 leagues—under the sea before her first re-coring; and, VIRGINIA will log over 125,000 leagues of submerged steaming in her service life, without refueling. The nuclear-powered submarine is a far-ranging, very effective, versatile warship for the 21st century—and, the Projection of National Power only requires unilateral action by our NCA. Seemingly, We, the People, still hold some Truths to be self-evident …that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit ofall those that threaten us.  Our battle flag once warned, as did our Navy Jack for a year in 1976: Don’t Tread On Me! The Threat: The Enemy BelowA German Type 214 AIP Submarine. The Type 214 is 213 feet in length with a submerged displacement of 1860 dwt.  They are equipped with two 120-kW Siemens AIP, Air-Independent Propulsion, fuel-cell power units, as well as two 1,000-kW diesel generator sets. The first of four Type 214 submarines for the Greek Navy, the Papanikolis, is pictured above just after delivery and christening at Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft (HDW), Kiel, on 22 April 2004.  The Papanikolis will be followed by three sisters on order from HDW’s subsidiary Hellenic Shipyard at Skaramanga, Greece, namely, the Pipinos, Matrozos, and Katsonis. The Pipinos is planned to complete in September 2005.  Currently, three of Greece’s four German Type 209/1200 submarines also are being back-fitted with fuel-cell AIP during refits ordered in June 2002.   Portugal ordered two German Type 209-PN submarines on 21 April 2004.  These submarines too will have Siemens AIP systems installed as well as their original diesel-electric generator sets.  The first of these is to be delivered in 2009, and the second a year later.  Both are estimated to bill at $490-million each.  Apparently, the pair is intended to replace two vintage-1960 French-made Daphne Class boats, which are to be retired in 2006. In mid-July 2004, a photograph of a submarine underway on its own power standing out from China’s Wuhan shipyard—some 420 miles inland from Shanghai—was posted on a Chinese Internet site.  The following is a paraphrasing of an article published in The Washington Times as written by Bill Gertz on July 16, 2004. Reportedly, a US DOD official confirmed that the photographed submarine is the lead ship of China’s new YUAN-Class submarine.  Its design can be categorized as a combination of indigenous Chinese hardware and Russian weapons. The PRC’s public exposure of this new class of submarine leads some US defense analysts to opine that China may be building up its naval forces in preparation for an armed confrontation with the US-supported ROC on Taiwan. These US analysts suggest that Chinese militarists may have decided that submarines are the PRC’s first-line of warships for defying US aircraft carriers. Moreover, China also is building two nuclear-powered submarines—one Type 093 fast-attack submarine similar to the Russian VICTOR-III Class, and one Type 094 intercontinental ballistic missile submarine—which should be ready for deployment next year. It is believed that in the coming months the US will continue to strengthen naval forces in the Pacific by the forward deployment of up to six additional nuclear-powered submarines to Guam, and an aircraft carrier naval battler group to the South China. Unlike the quotes attributed to Mister Richard Fisher, the outspoken former White-House advisor and now billed as a “Specialist” on the Chinese military, my take is more like one from a warfare realist: In God We Trust But We Track All Others!  


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Do You Resonate with Shock, Noise and Vibration?

  Video Clip: Click to Watch Two Short Courses from ATI on Vibration, Shock or Noise in Vehicles, Devices, and Equipment If you are concerned with vibration, shock or noise in vehicles, devices, and equipment; then Applied Technology Institute (ATI) short courses maybe for you. Why not take a short course? Our short courses are less […]
Negative Stiffness Vibration Isolator
 
Video Clip: Click to Watch
Two Short Courses from ATI on Vibration, Shock or Noise

in Vehicles, Devices, and Equipment

If you are concerned with vibration, shock or noise in vehicles, devices, and equipment; then Applied Technology Institute (ATI) short courses maybe for you. Why not take a short course? Our short courses are less than a week long and are designed to help you keep your professional knowledge up-to-date. They provide a practical overview of space and defense technologies which furnish a strong foundation for understanding the issues that must be confronted in the use, regulation and development of complex systems. If you are test personnel who conduct or supervise or “contract out” vibration and shock tests, then take the three-day course fundamentals course. It also benefits design, quality and reliability specialists who interface with vibration and shock test activities. If you have some prior acquaintance with vibration or noise fields, then you should sign up for the more advanced four day course. It emphasizes understanding of the relevant phenomena and concepts in order to enable the participants to address a wide range of practical problems insightfully. See sections below for more details on these two short courses from ATI. FUNDAMENTALS OF RANDOM VIBRATION & SHOCK TESTING This three-day course is primarily designed for test personnel who conduct or supervise or “contract out” vibration and shock tests. It also benefits design, quality and reliability specialists who interface with vibration and shock test activities. From this course you will obtain the ability to understand and communicate meaningfully with test personnel, perform basic engineering calculations and evaluate tradeoffs between test equipments’ and procedures. Each student receives the instructor’s brand new, minimal-mathematics, minimal-theory hardbound text Random Vibration & Shock Testing, Measurement, Analysis & Calibration. This 444 page, 4-color book also includes a CDROM with video clips and animations. What you will learn: • How to plan, conduct and evaluate vibration and shock tests and screens. • How to attack vibration and noise problems. • How to make vibration isolation, damping and absorbers work for vibration and noise control. • How noise is generated and radiated, and how it can be reduced. VIBRATION & NOISE CONTROL This course is intended for engineers and scientists concerned with the vibration reduction and quieting of vehicles, devices, and equipment. The course will provide guidance relevant to design, problem solving, and development of improvements. It will emphasize understanding of the relevant phenomena and concepts in order to enable the participants to address a wide range of practical problems insightfully. The instructors will draw on their extensive experience to illustrate the subject matter with examples related to the participant’s specific areas of interest. Although the course will begin with a review and will include some demonstrations, participants ideally should have some prior acquaintance with vibration or noise fields. Each participant will receive a complete set of course notes and the text Noise and Vibration Control Engineering, a $210 value. What you will learn: How to attack vibration and noise problems What means are available for vibration and noise control? How to make vibration isolation, damping, and absorbers work How noise generated and radiated, and how it can be reduced? Course Outline, Samplers, and Notes Determine for yourself the value of these courses before you sign up. • Fundamentals of Random Vibration & Shock Testing course slide sampler • Vibration & Noise Control course slide sampler Our other short courses are designed for individuals involved in planning, designing, building, launching, and operating space and defense systems. See our samples (See Slide Samples) on some of our courses. Or check out the new ATI channel on YouTube. After attending a course you will receive a full set of detailed notes from the class for future reference, as well as a certificate of completion. Please visit our website for more valuable information. About ATI and the Instructors Since 1984, ATI has provided leading-edge public courses and onsite technical training to DoD and NASA personnel, as well as contractors. Whether you are a busy engineer, a technical expert or a project manager, you can enhance your understanding of complex systems in a short time. You will become aware of the basic vocabulary essential to interact meaningfully with your colleagues. Our mission here at ATI is to provide expert training and the highest quality professional development in space, communications, defense, sonar, radar, and signal processing. We are not a one-size-fits-all educational facility. Our short classes include both introductory and advanced courses. ATI’s instructors are world-class experts who are the best in the business. They are carefully selected for their ability to clearly explain advanced technology. Fundamentals of Random Vibration & Shock Testing course Wayne Tustin has since 1995 been president of a specialized engineering school and consultancy he founded in Santa Barbara, CA. His BSEE degree is from the University of Washington, Seattle. He is a licensed Professional Engineer – Quality in the State of California. Wayne’s first encounter with vibration was at Boeing/Seattle, performing what later came to be called modal tests, on the XB-52 prototype of that highly reliable platform. Subsequently he headed field service and technical training for a manufacturer of electrodynamic shakers, before establishing another specialized school on which he left his name. Wayne has written several books and literally hundreds of articles dealing with practical aspects of vibration and shock measurement and testing. Vibration & Noise Control course Dr. Eric Ungar has specialized in research and consulting in vibration and noise for more than 40 years, published over 200 technical papers, and translated and revised Structure-Borne Sound. He has led short courses at the Pennsylvania State University for over 25 years and has presented numerous seminars worldwide. Dr. Ungar has served as President of the Acoustical Society of America, as President of the Institute of Noise Control Engineering, and as Chairman of the Design Engineering Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. ASME honored him with its Trent-Crede Medal in Shock and Vibration. ASA awarded him the Per Bruel Gold Medal for Noise Control and Acoustics for his work on vibrations of complex structures, structural damping, and isolation. Dr. James Moore has, for the past twenty years, concentrated on the transmission of noise and vibration in complex structures, on improvements of noise and vibration control methods, and on the enhancement of sound quality. He has developed Statistical Energy Analysis models for the investigation of vibrations and noise complex structures as submarines, helicopters, and automobiles and has been instrumental in the acquisition of corresponding data bases. He has participated in the development of active noise control systems, noise reduction coating and signal conditioning means, as well as in the presentation of numerous short courses and industrial training programs. Times, Dates, and Locations Fundamentals of Random Vibration & Shock Testing Sep 20-22, 2011 Detroit, MI Oct 4-6, 2011 Santa Clarita, CA Nov 7-9, 2011 Acton, MA Vibration & Noise Control Sep 26-29, 2011 Boston, MA Mar 12-15, 2012 Columbia, MD Apr 30-May 3, 2012 Boston, MA  

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Probing the Ocean for Submarines. A History of the AN/SQS-26 Long-Range, Echo-Ranging Sonar.

This is the story of one of the most challenging programs of the Cold War era.  Combining the knowledge and craftsmanship of engineering, naval architecture, ocean science, and operational expertise, the AN/SQS-26 program’s success was a key factor in the U.S. Navy’s quest for ASW superiority.  As with any undertaking of this scale, there needed […]
Probing the Ocean for Submarines. A History of the AN/SQS-26 Long-Range, Echo-Ranging Sonar.This is the story of one of the most challenging programs of the Cold War era.  Combining the knowledge and craftsmanship of engineering, naval architecture, ocean science, and operational expertise, the AN/SQS-26 program’s success was a key factor in the U.S. Navy’s quest for ASW superiority.  As with any undertaking of this scale, there needed to be a “hero,” an individual within the organization who had the vision, in-depth knowledge, perseverance, and voice to steer the sonar program through the difficult design, development, testing, and operational employment stages.  That hero was Thaddeus G. Bell at the Naval Underwater Systems Center, New London, CT. Above was a quote from Rear Admiral (retired) Richard Pittenger , who was also a leader in the field of Navy sonar. You can purchase the book from Peninsula Publishing. Peninsula Publishing 26666 Birch Hill Way Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 (650) 948-2511 phone (680) 948-5004 fax cwiseman@peninsulapublishing.com Download parts of the book here
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