Section 3: Underwater vessels, sensors, weapons and control systems

Sonar range prediction system

for global ocean environmental and tactical information
Ocean Acoustic Developments Ltd (OAD) was established in 1992 by the current directors and has been a leading supplier of sonar range prediction systems to the UK MoD since 1995. Its WADER32 system is the mandated acoustic model for use throughout the UK Royal Navy and is used by many other navies and research establishments worldwide. The system is the result of 20 years development work by the directors of OAD and incorporates the results of extensive and invaluable feedback from the companys large and informed user base. WADER32 provides global coverage for all functions. Colour-coded bathymetric charts and water column cross-sections enable a rapid assessment of the environmental conditions in any area. This data is coupled with a powerful suite of propagation loss models and supporting sonar data to produce an accurate, easily absorbed sonar performance analysis display. The propagation loss models have been formally verified by the UK MoD and all displays can be exported in BMP, JPG and TIFF format for upload into briefing material and reports. WADER32 generates range prediction data for all current operational sonars in both FM and CW modes over all operational sonar frequencies from a few Hz to above 500kHz. Sonar types include: I Surface ship hull mounted and variable depth sonar (VDS) both monostatic and bistatic I Helicopter VDS I Submarine passive and passive intercept I Mine warfare hull mounted and VDS I Diver detection sonar WADER32 includes dedicated FOM (figure of merit) calculators for each sonar type and is delivered with a complete set of virtual sonar data for training and configuration purposes. The propagation loss models within WADER32 can also be supplied as a stand-alone engine for use in other host applications. This product, HARCAM, has been designed to meet a requirement in the research and sonar assessment community for maximum input flexibility, high throughput and access to raw output for further analysis. HARCAM was originally designed as a research and development tool but over the past few years has found increasing use in the environment impact assessment field, where the track record of the embedded HODGSON and RAM models provides users with a considerable degree of confidence. HARCAM is unique in that it generates accurate propagation loss data over an exceptionally broad frequency range from a few Hz to above 500kHz. The system is delivered with a comprehensive set of benchmark comparisons and data. WADER32 and HARCAM run on Intel PCs under Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7 (32/64bit) and Apple Mac/Linux using VMWare.

WADER32 bathymetric chart

WADER32 water column cross-section

WADER32 sonar performance analysis display

OCEAN ACOUSTIC DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED

Telephone: +44 (0)1288 361652 e-mail: oadltd@attglobal.net Fax: +44 (0)1288 361097 Website: www.oad.tv

British Defence Equipment Catalogue 2011