Dropping Now, Now, Now…

Carrier based tactical aviation resembles rock and roll, but land based antisubmarine warfare is more like a symphony, or perhaps an opera. While carriers typically in cycles of an houror two between takeoff and recovery, an ASW mission can take a dozen hours, sometimes more: generally four hours on station, with perhaps two to four hours transit. Added to this times are the mission preparation of 3-4 hours, and an hour of debrief. An ASW mission can also grow in intensity as contact is made and developed.

the prinicipal means of detecting submarines is acoustically. Sound propagates very well in the ocean with little loss, especially in the lower frequencies. Still, detection ranges are typically short, so multiple sensors are required. For airborne platforms, these take the form of "sonobuoys," cylyndircal devises dropped from the aircraft. Using fins to retard its descent, the sonobuoy activates shortly after hitting the water by raising a small antenna and broadcsting. At the same time, a microphone array is lowered to the pre-selected depth, perhaps hundreds of feet, depending on oceanographic conditions.

Then the search begins. The signal from each sonobuoy is monitored by sophicated signal processing equipment operated by trained sonar technicians. They use the spectral characteritics to both detect the presences of a submarine but determine its class and sometimes even more. If conditions are right, it's possible to determine how fast the sub's props are turning and so estimate its speed.

Sonobuous are dropped in different patterns depending on the tactical situation. Typically, patterns conforming to a hexagonal-close-spaced patterns.

Tracking

• Tracking

• Localization

• Attack

Ocean Surveillance Operations

Maintaining Qualifications.