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
