Acoustic Response of Underwater Munitions Near a Sediment Interface: Measurement-Model Comparisons and Classification Schemes
MR-2231
Objective
There is a need for an improved understanding of phenomenology involving underwater munitions and the environment in which these munitions are found. In particular, there is a need for assessing and predicting the locations of munitions relative to the sea floor and for assessing the relative abundance of intact munitions in the presences of clutter.
The objective of this project is to investigate the use of broadband sonar in the detection, classification, and identification of underwater munitions near a water-sediment interface.
Technical Approach
This research is an extension of work conducted under SERDP project MR-1665 that measured acoustic responses from a collection of underwater targets in a fresh-water pond with a flat sandy bottom and compared some of those measurements to finite-element model predictions. This effort will collect additional acoustic data from an extended inventory of targets in an oceanic environment and a brackish bay with a mud bottom. Data-model comparisons then will form the basis of classification schemes to discriminate targets from nearby clutter. A central hypothesis is that the environment and the geometry within that environment can alter an acoustic response of a target, so the target-in-the-environment must be taken into account during the development of robust detection, classification, and identification strategies.
Benefits
The research will provide acoustic data on a set of underwater targets under various environmental conditions. This data will provide the ground truth in the construction of finite-element (FE) models, which can then be used to simulate the scattering responses of the targets in other environments. The FE models can provide a cost savings by reducing the number and/or duration of field tests. By providing a capability to simulate sonar performance, the Department of Defense (DoD) can make informed decisions on the relative merits of existing sonar systems and on proposed modifications to these systems for underwater munitions management. Finally, the data and analysis techniques will be made available to other researchers. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2015)
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Dr. Steven Kargl
University of Washington
Phone: 206-685-4677
Fax: 206-543-6785
Document Types
- Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
- Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
- Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
- Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
- Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
- Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
- Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
- Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
- Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.