Milestones in naval through-the-sensor environmental acoustic measurements

Abstract

This paper describes recent developments in the Bottom Loss and Scattering Strength Measurement System (BLOSSMS). The objectives of the BLOSSMS project are to (1) create technology from which measurements of several types of active sonar scattering phenomena may be made using a single unifying measurement and analysis scheme, (2) integrate measurements from Fleet active sonar systems with seafloor bathymetry and modeled acoustic data into a single root database, (3) develop algorithms that are based on sound physics and oceanographic principles to identify salient information in the root database for analysis, and (4) produce acoustic scattering parameters that are useful in sonar system performance analysis and the optimization of sonar operations. In this paper, the methods used to measure bottom backscatter strength, bottom forward scatter (bottom loss), and volume scatter strength are discussed. Examples of the resulting scattering parameters are provided. Also discussed are the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges that are associated with this approach to measuring fundamental acoustic scattering phenomena.