Abstract
Optical detection systems have the potential to get around some limitations of acoustic detection systems, especially with increased fleet and port security in noisy littoral waters. Identification of environmental effects especially tropical storms on underwater optical detection is a key to the success. A typhoon-influenced area is chosen in the western North Pacific Ocean with high ocean transparency and low seasonal optical variability. Underwater inherent optical properties (IOPs) such as the beam attenuation coefficient for 470 nm light are measured in the selected region from the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office sea gliders deployed after super typhoon Guchol’s (June 7 to 20, 2012) passage from June 25 to 30, 2012, and with no typhoon activity from January 9 to February 28, 2014. The observed two sets (with and without typhoon) of IOPs are taken as the input into the Navy’s electro-optical detection simulator. The simulation shows low detection after the super typhoon Guchol-2012’s passage and high detection without typhoon passage.
Highlights
For almost a century, the United States Navy has relied on acoustic sensors to map, detect threats or obstacles, and transmit information
With limited resources available and the desire to limit exposure to equipment and crew, alternative methods to conduct operations in mine warfare, antisubmarine warfare, and naval special warfare were developed.[1]. One such development is the use of electro-optical identification (EOID) sensors in conjunction with acoustic sensors to detect, classify, localize, and identify sea mines.[2]
Little attention has been paid to the effects of typhoon/ hurricane’s passage on optical detection, despite evidence suggesting that the strong winds significantly affect underwater inherent optical properties (IOPs) such as beam attenuation coefficient and in turn the quality of EOID.[7]
Summary
The United States Navy has relied on acoustic sensors to map, detect threats or obstacles, and transmit information. Especially typhoons/hurricanes, generate strong surface wind stress that enhances the currents, waves, and turbulences, and in turn changes the absorption and scattering of the water and constituents within, such as particles of various origins, including algal cells, detritus, sediments, plankton, and even bubbles near the surface This increases significantly the beam attenuation coefficient and in turn reduces the quality of EOID.[5] Typhoons often hit the western North Pacific Ocean.[6] little attention has been paid to the effects of typhoon/ hurricane’s passage on optical detection, despite evidence suggesting that the strong winds significantly affect underwater IOPs such as beam attenuation coefficient and in turn the quality of EOID.[7].
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