Gulf of Alaska air-deployed SUS surface reverberation measurements

Abstract

During the February/March 1992 Gulf of Alaska surface scatter and air–sea interaction experiment, air-deployed explosive charges (SUS) and sonobuoys were used to obtain surface scattering and reverberation data during three flights. At each of the surface scattering measurements sites, sonobuoys of different acoustic sensitivities were dropped within a 200-m circle to cover the wide dynamic range of the received SUS signals. SUS charges were then dropped at the location of these sonobuoys, providing monostatic reverberation measurements. On two of the flights, separated by 3 days in time, environmental measurements made from surface ships involved in the experiment indicates similar wind speeds. However, the measurement time periods were preceded by very high winds on one day and lower winds on the other day. Reverberation levels and surface scattering strength are addressed using the data from these two flights. [Work supported by the AEAS Program of the Office of Naval Research.]