Track: Operations Management and Operations Research

Abstract

An Underwater Acoustic Sensor Network (UASN) is compared with the use of legacy expendable sonar sensors.  A simple means is derived to compare these two types of systems, namely the UASN and expendable sonobuoy sensors, to determine the relative comparative use of the UASN as opposed to the legacy sensors. The comparison is utilized to demonstrate the potential advantages of using such a system over conventional sensors if the system exceeds the operational efficiency of legacy underwater expendable sonar systems by a given factor.  The methodology uses a simulation of a distribution of sensors which have a performance in terms of target detection based on a Median Detection Range (MDR) and the use of a ‘cookie-cutter’ approach.  The comparison between the dissimilar sensors is accounted for by a Relative Sensor Performance Factor (RSPF) of acoustic performance which although is based on range should also account for the sensor system performance under the same acoustic environmental conditions.  Only passive acoustic underwater sensors are considered. An example deployment is used in a choke-point scenario, for the Straits of Gibraltar.  Given even a nominally small RSPF between the sensors, the UASN could provide a higher operational advantage over legacy sensors.