Navy using optical sonar sensors to enhance submarine detection and alleviate maintenance problems

摘要

Woodland Hills, Calif. ― Sonar experts from the Northrop Grumman Navigation Systems Division in Woodland Hills, Calif., envision a vast ocean-floor optical sensor array that can detect and track some of the world's quietest submarines through minute phase shifts of light. This array, which U.S. Navy leaders call the All Optical Underwater Segment ― or AO-UWS ― is to be deployed in strategic ocean areas that either funnel heavy submarine traffic, or where pinpointing hostile submarines is crucial. The AO-UWS could go on line as early as 2004, says Jim Andersen, director of business development for fiber optic acoustic systems at Northrop Grumman Navigation Systems.