Air launched underwater acoustic systems

Expenditures associated with underwater acoustic systems are sometimes prohibitive owing to ships operating costs to install, maintain and utilize these systems. Launching, maintenance and use of precision long baseline navigation systems from the air are inherently cost effective for specific mission applications. Air launch technology also provides for rapid development of acoustic systems which, in many instances, is mandated. This paper discusses the current technology, methodology and specific products developed and currently in use which are air launched, such as duplex acoustic/RF sonobuoys, transponder systems and the associated navigation systems. Based on the developments to date, additional air launched concepts are discussed. Specific cost tradeoffs are presented depicting amortized savings over typical ship launched and maintained systems. The development cost of these systems are far outweighed by the resultant savings in ship's operating costs. Detailed presentation of two different example development programs provides direct insight into problems typical to these systems and associated methodology unique to air launched problems. The knowledge and understanding obtained via these developments is applicable to a variety of air launchable products typically used by military, commercial and educational institutions. Functional, mathematical, electronic, mechanical, environmental and cost factors are presented and addressed in comparison to more typical systems currently being used. Complete results are also provided for both development and end use testing activities.