SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post - Sub-mounted HF Active Sonar

Eagle1_Division · 01-05-18, 01:50 PM

I've noticed often encounters happen at extremely close range. Sub Command had a high-frequency active sonar facing upwards on the Los Angeles-class, and forward on the Seawolf and Akula (and I assume this accurately reflects reality - what I know of physics tells me it makes a lot of sense) - it was high frequency so apparently active intercept didn't exist for it (not that it couldn't), and it was made to map out mines and/or ice, but if you're within a few hundred or a thousand yards of something, wouldn't it be basically a perfect sensor to get that 95% solution on a target anywhere in its range and field of view?

I've noticed when evading certain ASW frigates that they're towing a HF Active, so it seems only fair that the player subs should have it, too.

Of course, this is sure to make asymmetric battles a lot more... well, asymmetric. At least if you get within the absurdly close range of the thing. But let's be honest, if you're in some November facing off a Seawolf, you won't get within HF Active range without being detected, anyways.

The HF would just be able to get that high solution and positive ID.

Oh, and do the thing it was made to do, too - like mapping ice and mines and all. I guess it could do that, too.

01-05-18, 01:50 PM	#1
Eagle1_Division Bosun Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 66 Downloads: 15 Uploads: 0	Sub-mounted HF Active Sonar I've noticed often encounters happen at extremely close range. Sub Command had a high-frequency active sonar facing upwards on the Los Angeles-class, and forward on the Seawolf and Akula (and I assume this accurately reflects reality - what I know of physics tells me it makes a lot of sense) - it was high frequency so apparently active intercept didn't exist for it (not that it couldn't), and it was made to map out mines and/or ice, but if you're within a few hundred or a thousand yards of something, wouldn't it be basically a perfect sensor to get that 95% solution on a target anywhere in its range and field of view? I've noticed when evading certain ASW frigates that they're towing a HF Active, so it seems only fair that the player subs should have it, too. Of course, this is sure to make asymmetric battles a lot more... well, asymmetric. At least if you get within the absurdly close range of the thing. But let's be honest, if you're in some November facing off a Seawolf, you won't get within HF Active range without being detected, anyways. The HF would just be able to get that high solution and positive ID. Oh, and do the thing it was made to do, too - like mapping ice and mines and all. I guess it could do that, too.