The Seneca Lake sonar test facility, Dresden, NY

Abstract

The Seneca Lake sonar test facility at Dresden, NY, is a field station of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Newport, RI, headquartered in Washington, DC. Open year-round, the facility business is to test and evaluate single-element hydrophones and transducers up to large complex sonar arrays and systems. The work at the station supports major Navy laboratories, universities, and civilian contractor programs requiring underwater measurements to water depths of 150 m, fixed geometry ranges to 3.8 km, and load handling requirements to 220 tons. A description of the land base, vessel complement, and barge facilities is given. Several small and large scale programs that have used the facility are discussed in detail to illustrate the station capabilities. An in-depth discussion is made of the modern measurement systems and ancillary mechanical and electrical equipment permanently available at the facility for project support. Chronic logistic, technical, and operational problems with appropriate solutions are presented.