The application of sector scanning sonar and multibeam imaging sonar for underwater security

The underwater domain presents a significant challenge to security. Although land and water surface threats may be mitigated by various conventional means, a reliable methodology of securing the underwater domain becomes increasingly important as threat delivery becomes more sophisticated. Threats to high value marine vessels, waterfront assets, ports and marine passageways may be covertly placed without sophisticated technology. Many means of threat delivery exist that are difficult to control with land and surface based countermeasures. For example, underwater swimmers, small underwater vehicles (manned and unmanned) and uncontrolled surface craft with apparently benign intentions may place a threat into a sensitive underwater area with immediate or future consequences. Once a threat is placed, it is extremely difficult to detect with conventional means such as divers or visual means (cameras, ROV's).Without a sophisticated and reliable technology to detect these threats, a complete security solution for underwater security is not possible.