Sub Surface Vehicle Detection and The Gulf
@ Mike7777777
A very basic introduction to sub surface vehicle detection & PGW/ Strait of Hormuz. Apologies for brevity of what I have written. The notes may not answer your questions but should point you in the correct direction for further information.
ASW in the Strait of Hormuz & Gulf of Oman
Detection Methods Could Include
1/ Gravimetric
2/ Active Acoustic
3/ Passive Acoustic
4/ Magnetic
5/ Surface water displacement (difficult to use as a tool - LIDAR)
6/ Infrared detection
7/ Cavitation detection - usually not possible if vessel moving at under 6 knots (ish)
8/ Chemical luminescence
Variables Affecting Detection
1/ Geologic stratigraphy (this has an effect on the reflection and refraction of acoustic waves)
2/ Salinity & localised salinity variations caused by fresh water surcharges and currents. Also effected by seasons, winds and evaporation rates
3/ Thermoclines & layers
4/ Magnetic variations
5/ Roughness of sea bed
6/ Closeness of coast lines and islands
7/ Tidal flows & river flows
8/ Horizontal and vertical turbulence caused by sea bed and adjacent land masses
9/ Water surface and bottom flow rates
10/ The paths taken by both active & passive sounds. These components comprise direct, reflective, surface paths and refractive paths.
Notes
Are you aware that there is research on using the cavitation of a ships propeller/s as an active, non directional source?
Strait of Hormuz has an average depth of 35 metres and a maximum depth of approximately 60 metres (25m to 40m range is the normal). The Gulf of Oman has a maximum depth of over 140 metres. The shallow depth of the Strait of Hormuz makes it easier to detect submarines.
The Strait of Hormuz is only about 40 miles wide, and is 34 miles wide at its narrowest point. The Strait consists of 2 mile wide channels for inbound and outbound tanker traffic, as well as a 2 mile wide buffer zone (6 mile width in total).
Thermohaline characteristics (density of water caused by temperature and salinity) and distribution also exhibit notable changes at periods shorter than a month
In the Strait of Hormuz the hydrological structure consists in a homogeneous mixed layer in the upper 30 meters overlying a stratified water column with the warm and salty core lying in the deepest part of the Strait.
The approaches to the Strait of Hormuz have reasonably homogenous temperature and salinity levels. This makes it easier to detect submarines in this area.
Much work has been carried out in the Strait of Hormuz, the PGW (Persian Gulf water) – this includes the Gulf of Oman) and Indian Ocean over a number of years in an attempt to measure these variables.
Last edited by hval; 5th Jan 2012 at 09:45.
Reason: To add Lidar