SARNAM Noise Impact Software

Abstract

Abstract : Weapons noise compromises the Department of Defense s (DoD) ability to maintain access to resources necessary for military training and testing. Community reactions to excessive military noise include complaints, damage claims, legal action, political pressure, and other efforts to curtail the noisy activity. Noise concerns have prompted installations to relocate training, impose firing curfews, and close ranges. Such short-term-solution decisions, if made without reliable noise management technology, can needlessly hamper training mission execution and ultimately impact soldier proficiency and survival. Noise impact assessment software can guide planning decisions to minimize noise impacts on soldier and civilian health and welfare. Impulsive noise from weapons training and testing is not governed by national laws; consequently, noise management consists of striking a balance between mission execution and environmental quality. Reliable guidance regarding noise level reduction under a wide range of conditions is arguably more important than the absolute accuracy of noise level predictions for specific conditions. The military noise impact assessment software, or noise model, known as SARNAM enables calculation and display of noise contours for small arms ranges. The name SARNAM is an acronym for Small Arms Range Noise Assessment Model. Input options include the type of weapon and ammunition, number and time of shots, range size and structure, noise dose metrics, and assessment protocols. The model accounts for muzzle blast and projectile sonic boom spectrum and directivity, which facilitates accurate sound level prediction and interpretation of receiver response. SARNAM noise level predictions are based on the mean expected value of noise level metrics for mild downwind sound propagation conditions; this calculation is used in all directions, which moderately over-predicts noise levels in some regions.