During the search for MH370, there was something sad about sailors on aboard RN ships, with binoculars, searching for wreckage by looking out to sea. How far can they see with any reliability? Is this next to futile?
A UK Freedom of Information request asked if the Royal Navy have any towed observation platforms, a device a bit like a parascender/hang glider, which, apparently, can reach almost to 1000 feet, and towed behind the ship. This seems gloriously low tech, very cheap and potentially useful. Having said that they did not, this is what they went on to say:
"UK Armed Forces rely on advanced sensors that provide a highly effective detection capability. For example, surveillance radar systems, such as the SCANTER 4100, which are currently in service with the Royal Navy, offer a combined surface and air surveillance capability to a range of 110 nautical miles from the ship. The radar is capable of detecting small objects in all weather conditions which gives it a clear advantage over the approach you propose. In addition, highly capable sonar systems, such as the 2087 used by the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates provide an effective means of acoustically detecting submerged objects".
Can anyone comment on this, bearing in mind that nobody is talking of "either or", but rather of "all" useful ideas. Who knows when the world will be on another similar search?