![]() ![]() Anti-submarine warfare is a cat-and-mouse game, and sometimes the cat needs to make some noise to find the mouse.The Russian Navy is now armed with the world's longest known submarine, one that could eclipse the submarine power of any other country -including the U.S. Newer ADAR systems forego explosive charges for an "electronically produced active acoustic wave" (read: ping), but the principle remains the same. The newer AN/SSQ-125, which replaces explosive charges with electronically generated sound, is replacing the -110A. ASW hunters would typically drop multiple AN/SSQ-101s, hopeful that their data could help triangulate an enemy sub's position. These pulses, especially those bouncing off of enemy submarines, are picked up by the listening AN/SSQ-101. Each time an explosive charge detonates, it sends a pulse of sound energy through the surrounding water. The AN/SSQ-110A is more exciting and consists of two explosive charges. The other half of the ADAR system is the AN/SSQ-110A sonobuoy. The -125 uses electronically generated acoustic waves instead of explosive charges, but the principle is the same. The AN/SSQ-101 and the AN/SSQ-125 in action. Next, the sonobuoy unfolds a five-sided array of 40 underwater microphones (known as hydrophones), creating an underwater listening post. One of the first things it releases is a floating transmitter that bobs on the surface of the ocean, relaying whatever information it finds to nearby friendly ships and aircraft. Once released, the AN/SSQ-101 enters the water and deploys its payload. ![]() A P-3 or P-8 anti-submarine aircraft, MH-60 Seahawk helicopter, or even a surface ship will drop AN/SSQ-101 and AN/SSQ-125 sonobuoys in an attempt to find an enemy sub. The long, thin buoy is one portion of the two-part Air Deployable Active Receiver (ADAR) system. The floating sensors can listen to the ocean and relay that data to aircraft flying above. Sonobuoys are used to detect frequencies and signals in the water. Navy, Naval Aircrewman (Operator) 2nd Class Karl Shinn, assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 16, unloads a Sonobuoy from the rack onboard a P-8A Poseidon to prepare it for use during a search mission to locate Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 on Apin the Indian Ocean. Counting the time it takes for bursts to return also allows the sub hunters to figure out the direction in which the enemy subs are traveling. A sub's crew can then analyze the sonar return to determine if it's coming from an enemy submarine. As the burst travels through the water, it bounces off of underwater objects and returns in the direction from which it came, boomerang-style. The thriller film The Hunt for Red Octobermade this burst, often called a "ping," famous when it debuted in 1990 It's probably the first sound you imagine when you consider a submarine. One way of doing so is through the use of so-called "active sonar." Active uses a burst of sound energy, transmitted through the water, to detect unseen objects. ASW hunters must find them via sound, using sonar to detect lurking submarines. Modern submarines can attack their targets while fully submerged, making visual or radar detection impossible. Sans sonobuoys, submarines rely on the opacity of the world's oceans to evade detection, sneaking up on enemy ships before ambushing them with a brace of missiles or torpedoes. You can get a rare glimpse of the life cycle of an AN/SSQ-101 sonobuoy in the video below:Īnti-submarine warfare is one of the least well-known forms of combat, making the Navy's investment particularly interesting. Sonobuoys are highly sensitive floating receivers that help pinpoint the locations of submarines. That much is evidenced by the service's decision last month to purchase up to 18,000 AN/SSQ-125 sonobuoys as part of a $222.3 million contract with Lockheed Martin's Rotary and Mission Systems division in Manassas, Virginia and ERAPSCO, a Columbia City, Indiana-based manufacturer of Navy sonobuoys and transducers. Navy-to prioritize anti-submarine warfare, or ASW. The rise of the Chinese Navy, plus Russia's introduction of a formidable new fleet of Yasen and Borei-class (pictured at top) submarines, have caused navies around the world-including the mighty U.S. Last month, the service announced a $222.3 million deal to purchase up to 18,000 sonobuoys, which act like giant ears, listening for sonar returns triggered by underwater explosions.Navy wants to find and target those threatening subs. With the rise of the Chinese Navy, and Russia's investment in a fleet of imposing new submarines, the U.S.Navies around the world use sonobuoys to detect submarines, allowing sub hunters to quickly form their own underwater detection grids. ![]()
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