An autonomous underwater vehicle towed hydrophone array for ocean acoustic measurements

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) with a towed hydrophone array (THA) can provide the capability of mobile‐single‐ship operation for both short‐range single path and long range synthetic aperture experiments. A low noise towed array for an AUV (REMUS) has been developed to demonstrate the feasibility and utility of such measurements. Previous measurements of AUV radiated noise indicated levels that would limit measurements by hull arrays providing a rational for a THA. A small‐diameter fluid‐filled prototype hydrophone array was developed and tested to ensure adequate sensitivity and system noise levels. The digital recording system (DRS) consisted of mini‐disc recorders with a band width of 20 kHz housed in a tube attached to the AUV. This combined system (REMUS, DRS, and THA) was used to conduct a proof of concept test in Dodge Pond. This paper presents the results that show, in the Sea State 0 noise field of Dodge Pond, array system self noise was less than the ambient and vehicle noise was manage...