Updated technology baseline in underwater acoustic modeling, simulation, and analysis

Abstract

A comprehensive review of international developments in underwater acoustic modeling is used to construct an updated technology baseline containing 106 propagation models, 16 noise models, 17 reverberation models, and 25 sonar performance models. This updated technology baseline represents a 30% increase over the previous baseline published in 1996 [P. C. Etter, Underwater Acoustic Modeling: Principles, Techniques and Applications, 2nd ed. (E & FN Spon, London, 1996)]. When executed in higher-level simulations, these models can generate predictive and diagnostic outputs that are useful to acoustical oceanographers or sonar technologists in the analysis of complex systems operating in the undersea environment. Recent modeling developments described in the technical literature suggest two major areas of application: low-frequency, inverse acoustics in deep water; and high-frequency, bottom-interacting acoustics in coastal regions. Rapid changes in global geopolitics have opened new avenues for collaboration, thereby facilitating the transfer of modeling and simulation technologies among members of the international community. This accelerated technology transfer has created new imperatives for international standards in modeling and simulation architectures. National and international activities to promote interoperability among modeling and simulation efforts in government, industry, and academia will be reviewed. The implications of this updated baseline for technology planners will also be discussed.