Presented April 23, 2020- Presentation Slides

Abstract

“Acoustic Response of Underwater Munitions Near a Water-Sediment Boundary” by Steve Kargl

“Multi-Sensor Towbody (MuST) for Detection, Classification, and Geolocation of Underwater Munitions” by Steve Kargl

Over the last decade, we have conducted basic research to understand physical mechanisms associated with scattering sound from objects near a water-sediment boundary. Synthetic aperture sonar data were collected during several field measurements. A 42-m long rail was deployed to the sea floor, which allowed a mobile sonar tower to traverse a 40-m cross-range. Inert ordnance, scientific targets, and clutters objects were placed in the field of view. Experimental data were used to validate high-fidelity models. These models then provided physical insight into observable structure in the data. Subsequently, measured data, augmented by numerically simulated data, have been utilized in the development of detection and classification schemes. The first part of this presentation covered SERDP efforts on the use of sonar to improve detection and classification strategies. 

The second half of the presentation focused on ESTCP efforts to apply this research to the Multi-Sensor Towbody (MuST), a prototype platform that integrates high-frequency (HF) side-scan sonar, downward-looking, low-frequency (LF) sonar, and our in-house signal processing package for detection and classification. The HF sonar provides high-resolution imagery of the water-sediment boundary and any exposed objects. The LF sonar offers detection depths of 1 to 2 meters (i.e., sand versus mud). This presentation discussed the research that has led to design decisions for MuST.

Dr. Steven Kargl is a senior principal research physicist with the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington (Seattle, WA). His current areas of research include the scattering of sound from objects and wave propagation within marine environments. He has served as a Principal Investigator on several SERDP and Office of Naval Research (ONR) grants and contracts, which addressed detection and classification of underwater munitions near a water-sediment boundary. Steven is a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America. From 2000 to 2003, he served as an Associated Editor for the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America with editorial responsibilities in the areas of ultrasonics and physical acoustics. He has a bachelor's degree in physics and mathematics from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio and master’s and doctoral degrees from the Washington State University in Pullman