Active Towed Array Sonar is a long range detection system.

Today, it is increasing difficult for sonar systems to detect conventional submarines which have become quieter and with low target strength through the use of new hull design, advanced stealth material for the submarine hull and self-noise reduction technique. As a result, it is increasingly difficult for the ship based sonars to detect such quiet submarines. This emergent threat of the diesel submarine (SSK) coupled with a move to littoral (shallow water) operations has created a sudden demand for improved ASW capability.

Due to the stealth submarine threat capabilities, wide areas have to be searched and long standoff distances have to be cleared for the safety of high-value principal surface combatants. The most effective sensor to detect the SSK operating in shallow waters is the active/passive low-frequency towed array sonar system. The rule of thumb is the lower the operating frequency, the longer the sonar’s range. These systems offer detection ranges that are, on the average, about two times the range of the best hull mounted sonars. In deeper waters the average range advantage increases to more than four times. Overall, this gives the low-frequency sonar an advantage of between four to 16 times the area coverage for all operating conditions that a navy might encounter.

Active Towed Array Sonar is a long range detection system comprised of the following sub-systems:

– Transmitting Array
– Triplet Array
– Vibration Isolation Modules
– Onboard Electronics
– Simulator and Recorder
– Winch and Handling System

Main advantage of the system is:
– Makes active ASW feasible on small platforms where mass or real estate constraints preclude fit of the handling system necessary for a tow-body.
– Offers significant operational benefits for littoral operations as it imposes fewer maneuvering constraints and can be deployed with less personnel and in less time when required.
– Offers a cost effective, smaller and lighter active sonar transmitter with good system-level performance relative to a system using a traditional towed body transmitter operating in the littorals.
– The Winch and Handling System would be less complex and would require less maintenance.
– System can be supplemented as a active sonar capability to the existing passive array systems with minor modifications.

System is capable of expanding by modular arrays such as, intercept array, decoy array and omnidirectional arrays.