Overview: Expendable underwater sensors used for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), capable of both transmitting active pings and determining bearing to underwater targets. They are typically deployed by maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Active directional sonobuoys are equipped with an acoustic projector and hydrophones arranged to provide directional information. After deployment, the buoy emits sonar pulses and listens for echoes, determining the direction (bearing) to potential submarine contacts. Some models also support range estimation through echo timing. These buoys are used in multistatic or active search patterns to triangulate the position of submerged targets.

ROLE SUMMARY:
Category: ASW Sonobuoy
Primary Use: Submarine detection
Function: Active acoustic search and bearing estimation
Platform: Maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters

See Specific information under [Sensors/EW] and [Properties] sections.

SOURCE:
US Navy Sonobuoy Manual, ASW equipment guides, Jane’s Underwater Warfare Systems