Simulation and control techniques utilised for generic assessment of a fully reelable submarine towed array handling system

The traditional design of in-service towed array sonar within the Royal Navy has, in the main, employed equipment of relatively short acoustic aperture and clip-on technology. However, as the role of the submarine has changed to meet the perceived threat, so the technology has adapted to meet the naval requirement. Hence, certain classes of submarine are required to have fully reelable towed arrays that provide long acoustic apertures and are stowed on the platform, a procedure entailing both deploy and recover operations. The handling and control of a fully reelable array transmission system presents a severe technical challenge to the designer. In order to reduce the high risk associated with the design of a fully reelable array handling system, it is necessary to acquire a thorough understanding of both the complex properties of arrays and the transient performance of deployment and recovery equipment over a wide range of operational conditions. To this end, DERA Winfrith have engaged in applied research activities to further the understanding of these systems. This research involves both theoretical modelling and experimental activities.