SSQ-57A Sonobuoy


© Brooke Clarke 2017 - 2021
Background
Description
Photos
Patents
Related
References
Links

Background

This is a LOFAR (LOw Frequency Analysis and Ranging) type sonobuoy.  The first sonobuoy in this series was the SSQ-41 introduced in 1965.  The output is displayed on a waterfall display (Wiki: Spectrogram) with Frequency on the horizontal axis and time changing on the vertical axis.  These displays from a LOFAR sonobuoy were called LofarGrams. The British LOFAR was the SSQ-48 (aka: T24501)  Jezebel (passive listening SONAR) (Sonobuoy Ref 7, pg 59)

Unlike the AN/CRT-1 sonobuoy where the lower frequency limit is 300 Hz (First version) or 100 Hz (version A and later) the LOwer Frequency limit on the LOFAR series sonobuoy is  between 1.2 and 5.3 Hz  at absolute sound-pressure level of -170 dB referenced to 1 µPa at 1 meter. Between 2.1 Hz and 8 Hz at -160 dB and between 10.1 Hz and 20 Hz at -150 dB.  This allows hearing sounds that travel much greater distances and also indicate things like propeller shaft RPM.  The upper limit is 2,400 Hz which is a little lower than the common 3,000 Hz upper limit for human speech, but there is no speech to be heard underwater, so the upper limit is set based on the types of sounds that are underwater and that a human operator can hear.

Note that Vietnam era seismic intrusion detectors, like the PSR-1, operate in the frequency range below the lower limit of human hearing, i.e. below 20 Hz.  While learning about the SSQ-57A DIFAR sonobuoy it was discovered that the hydrophone uses seismometer technology rather than piezoelectric or magnetostrictive technology. 

Description

LOFAR sonobuoys are the natural evolution of the non-directional sonobuoy that started with the AN/CRT-1.  The simplicity translates into the lowest cost of the family of sonobuoys and so probably is the most used.

MIL-S-81478C(AS)
1 April 1985
------------
Superseding
MIL--81478(AS)
18 January 1979

VHF Frequency: 1 of 31 channels spaced 375 kHz beteween 162.25 (ch 1) and 173.50 (ch 16) MHz.
Power Out: 1.0 Watt RMS  (1/2Watt within 60 seconds of hitting water, full 1 W by 3 minutes, and stop between 1 hour and 1:20 after water entry).
Audio Freq Response: peaked curve referenced to 100 Hz.  min of 10 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

Photos

Fig 1
CNU-239/E Shipping Tube
 
SSQ-57A Sonobuoy
Fig 2
LAU-111/B/A
Launch Tube
SSQ-57A Sonobuoy
Fig 3 Label visible from outside when mounted in plane.
SSQ-57A Sonobuoy
Fig 4  Depth 60 or 400 Feet
SSQ-57A Sonobuoy
Fig 5 1, 3 or 8 Hours operation
SSQ-57A Sonobuoy
Fig 6 threads for Cartridge Actuated Device (CAD).
This electrically activated gas generator will burst the thin membrane in the launch tube and force the sonobuoy out of the aircraft.  This is the "top side" of the sonobuoy when mounted in the belly of an aircraft.
SSQ-57A Sonobuoy







Patents

Spectrograms

In the movie Hunt for Red October (IMDB) the SAPS (Signal Algorithmic Processing System) was said to be based on the earth sciences and the Exxon research patent is for a similar system.  Sonograms (Wiki) were developed for a number of applications (Wiki), one of which was the VoicePrint (Wiki).

3439155 Filtering system, Alexander Warren A, Exxon Production Research Co, Priority: 1 May 1963, Pub: 15 Apr 1969, 708/191, 324/76.29, 359/560, 356/71, 324/76.36 - spectral analysis for oil exploration.    
3611411
Spectrum-analyzing recorder, Allan K Mccombs, Stephen L Moshier, Stanley R Rich, Listening Inc, 5 Oct 1971, 346/35, 324/76.31, 346/150.1 - aimed at human hearing analysis  
4231103 Fast Fourier transform spectral analysis system employing adaptive window, John E. Timm, Secretary Of The Navy, 28 Oct 1980, 708/404 - applies digital methods   

Related

Sonobuoy
CRT-1 Sonobuoy
Torpedoes, Mines, Depth Charges
Submarines
GEO_ID - TRC-3, PEWS, USQ-42, Turd
GSQ154 - All GSQ-154
GSQ160 - Frequency Disconnect -GSQ-160, USQ-46, TS-2963, PP-6446 - TCw - cylindrical module pinouts.
GSS26 - AN/GSS-26 minimal info
Intrusion Alarm Patents
USQ_Rx - Igloo White, USQ-42, USQ-46 details,
PSR-1 - now on it's own page (July 2007)
Modular Outdoor Intrusion Sensors (REMBASS?)
Astronomy - UFOs - Richard Muller Physics Lecture 11 - Waves 1

References

University of Bergen - Department of Earth Science - Electronics Workshop - Sonobuoys & SSQ-57A
P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol, United States of America -
Research Gate: LOFAR sonobuoy localization algorithm based on the measurements of amplitude and frequency -

Links

PRC68, Alphanumeric Index of Web pages, Contact, Products for Sale
Page Created 2017 October 6