The article presents technical aspects of optimizing hydroacoustic underwater object detection using side-scan sonar. It highlights the possibilities of mounting the sonar to a harbor vessel. Examples of measurement platforms designed for conducting surveys in harbor waters are presented.1. INTRODUCTION
Every year, there is an increase in the volume of transported goods and passenger traffic by sea. The designs and maneuvering characteristics of sea and ocean-going vessels are changing. With the development of maritime trade, threats are growing, especially terrorist attacks on facilities such as commercial ports, transshipment terminals, LNG terminals, oil platforms, dams, and nuclear power plants. Therefore, such locations are increasingly being secured with multi-zone protection systems using active and passive sonar systems [1].
In harbor conditions, it is exceptionally easy to affect ship installations and hulls even with small explosive charges. Such charges can be easily and covertly dropped (tossed) from almost any floating craft moving within the area. Therefore, to maintain an appropriate level of security, it becomes necessary to conduct underwater monitoring of harbor basin bottoms aimed at detecting and verifying any mine-like objects and others posing an explosive threat. Terrorists use various means for attacks, ranging from different structures containing explosive material to chemical and biological weapons placed in containers of various sizes and shapes. Dropping such a container (charge) can be done directly from the harbor quay at the mooring place of the ship being targeted.
Harbor basins, Navy waterways, and shipping routes should be hydroacoustically monitored for the presence of possible mine-like objects (MLO) and improvised explosive devices (IED). (…)
The article contains 17823 characters.
Source: Logistyka Magazine