Anti-submarine warfare, also known as ASW, is an essential part of sea control and a top priority for America’s Navy. As Chinese and Russian submarine forces grow and operate further away from their respective countries, America becomes within striking distance. US ships including Military Sealift Ships and other Navy ship are potentially in danger of being targeted and attacked by these elusive threats. The US Navy is coming up with new and effective ways to combat this potential threat. ASW consists of numerous activities from using sensors to observe submarines to actively seeking and destroying enemy submarines with various weapons. The US Navy needs to maintain a superior global ASW in order to keep its dominance over the sea (Benson). China
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These can be used on ASW aircraft at night under poor visibility conditions. These sensors have replaced earlier methods of illuminating the ocean with either flares or searchlights. These sensors now make it less likely for hostile submarines to surface. Visual sensors are still used to detect submarines. These sensors include modified binoculars and other electro-optical equipment. The position of the sun and moon in addition to the direction of the waves are all taken into account when submarines want to remain invisible. Photo luminescent organisms can also be used to give away a submarine’s position (“Air Anti-Submarine Warfare”).
Sonobuoys are also used in detecting enemy submarines. They are dropped into the ocean from either a ship or an aircraft. Sonobuoys receive underwater sounds and are around 3 feet long and 6 inches in diameter. The received signals are transmitted to either a ship or aircraft to be processes and analyzed. A precise location of a submarine can be determine by dropping a pattern of sonobuoys. Two types of sonobuoys exist, one for long range and the other is used for pinpointing a submarines location at short range (“How Is
These can be used on ASW aircraft at night under poor visibility conditions. These sensors have replaced earlier methods of illuminating the ocean with either flares or searchlights. These sensors now make it less likely for hostile submarines to surface. Visual sensors are still used to detect submarines. These sensors include modified binoculars and other electro-optical equipment. The position of the sun and moon in addition to the direction of the waves are all taken into account when submarines want to remain invisible. Photo luminescent organisms can also be used to give away a submarine’s position (“Air Anti-Submarine Warfare”).
Sonobuoys are also used in detecting enemy submarines. They are dropped into the ocean from either a ship or an aircraft. Sonobuoys receive underwater sounds and are around 3 feet long and 6 inches in diameter. The received signals are transmitted to either a ship or aircraft to be processes and analyzed. A precise location of a submarine can be determine by dropping a pattern of sonobuoys. Two types of sonobuoys exist, one for long range and the other is used for pinpointing a submarines location at short range (“How Is