Sounds of Sea Creatures as Sub Detection
DARPA'S SPY FISH
Living Sea Creature Submarine Detection Sensor System
This is an incredible concept that does not involve tampering with nature in any way. The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA - is rolling out a program to turn sea creatures into a submarine detection network. The concept is based on the natural sounds of certain types of sea life when disturbed. DARPA wants those sounds to be picked up by underwater sensor systems to warn the US military that an unknown submarine is in a certain location.
Big Research Program
This will start with a five year research study to learn the behavior of sea creatures. Shrimp, fish and phytoplankton are of particular interest to determine how they might be used to detect manned and drone subs. Active and passive sonar is currently used to track subs but if the sub is quiet enough, it can elude sonar and go undetected.
Adding a Third Wave to Active and Passive Sonar
Here are two examples of what DARPA has in mind. Grouper fish make loud barking noises when disturbed. When the disturbance is a sub, DARPA wants the fish sounds to be picked up by underwater listening posts no matter how quiet the sub is. Meanwhile, Raytheon is studying the use of snapping shrimp which make a loud snapping noise when disturbed. The company is working on a sensor system to pick up those natural sounds as a third wave of submarine surveillance.
 |
| Source: DARPA |
This is an incredible concept that does not involve tampering with nature in any way. The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA - is rolling out a program to turn sea creatures into a submarine detection network. The concept is based on the natural sounds of certain types of sea life when disturbed. DARPA wants those sounds to be picked up by underwater sensor systems to warn the US military that an unknown submarine is in a certain location.
Big Research Program
This will start with a five year research study to learn the behavior of sea creatures. Shrimp, fish and phytoplankton are of particular interest to determine how they might be used to detect manned and drone subs. Active and passive sonar is currently used to track subs but if the sub is quiet enough, it can elude sonar and go undetected.
Adding a Third Wave to Active and Passive Sonar
Here are two examples of what DARPA has in mind. Grouper fish make loud barking noises when disturbed. When the disturbance is a sub, DARPA wants the fish sounds to be picked up by underwater listening posts no matter how quiet the sub is. Meanwhile, Raytheon is studying the use of snapping shrimp which make a loud snapping noise when disturbed. The company is working on a sensor system to pick up those natural sounds as a third wave of submarine surveillance.
Comments
Post a Comment