Sentient Digital, Inc.
Naval Air Systems Command

Digital Vertical Line Array Sonobuoy

Shallow Water Bottom Characteristic Measurement Sensor

TITLE: Digital Vertical Line Array Sonobuoy

OBJECTIVE: Environmental sensor and in-situ mission planning aid.

Awarded to: RDA, Inc.

Contract #: N00421-01-C-0018

Topic #: N101-017

Phase: I, II, and III

Approach:

  • Multiple Vertical Beams are formed using the Vertical Array to provide angular estimates of Transmission Loss (TL) and Reverberation Level (RL)
  • Bottom Backscatter Strength as a function of Incidence Angle is determined directly from the TL & RL measurements
  • Bottom Loss vs. grazing angle determined unambiguously

Technology Development:

DVLA is intended for use as an Environmental Measurement Sensor for the U.S. Navy’s BTEC Program. Development was performed by

  • RDA, Inc. of Doylestown, PA as prime
  • UnderSea Sensor Systems Inc. of Columbia City, IN (a division of Ultra Electronics) as subcontractor
  • Hundreds of DVLA Sonobuoys have been built and delivered to the U.S. Navy

Introduction:

  • DVLA is a sonobuoy sensor intended to address the need to improve performance prediction capability for sonar systems operating in harsh or shallow environments
  • Bottom Loss and Bottom Scattering Strength are two of the most critical factors affecting Sonar System performance in shallow environments
  • The DVLA is a Bottom Characteristic Measurement Sensor developed by the U.S. Navy to facilitate Bottom Loss and Bottom Scattering Measurements