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 |
- 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
