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Linton
06-03-09, 05:48 PM
Does this submarine class have a towed array?
Linton
06-04-09, 04:35 PM
Why do I need to know this?It is because it is going to take something with a towed array to find the wreckage of the Air France 330 on the seabed.
CaptainHaplo
06-04-09, 05:19 PM
Why? A towed array is passive sonar - not active. It can't detect inert pieces of metal sitting on the bottom of the ocean.

You would need a ROV with a light and camera to do the detail search - but the initial finds and mapping will be using mostly side scanning sonar, which is active in nature.

What will be done is mainly bottom mapping - if the bottom is shallow enough for them to do so. If not, your looking at pure ROV work. Passive sonar just isnt a useful tool for this kind of thing.

Passive sonar needs something that makes noise, and the pieces that are lying on the bottom won't be doing that.
Rhodes
06-04-09, 06:35 PM
The depth is 3000 or 4000 meters in that part of the ocean, I think!
Linton
06-05-09, 05:33 AM
The fdr/cvr have pingers to help locate them thus the need for a towed array.
TLAM Strike
06-05-09, 12:01 PM
No the Tupi Class is not fitted with a Towed Array.

Plus it would take a long time to get one out there unless it was already at sea. A Brazilian Type 22 FF would be a better choice since its over 10 knots faster and has a TA. Of course I think they are already using Grumman Tracker and C-295 aircraft to search for it.

BTW there are active towed arrays on surface ships.
Oberon
06-05-09, 01:45 PM
I think the beacon operates at depths up to 16,000ft or thereabouts, so I heard anyway, not concrete that, mind.
In good sonar condictions a passive array from a skimmer or the bow sonar on a Tupi might pick it up, but what with the storms in the region at the time of the crash, and the likelihood of the aircraft breaking up before impact, the wreckage and the recorders could be anywhere. Regrettably, as many agencies are starting to realise, we might never get an answer over this tragic event.
Rhodes
06-05-09, 04:01 PM
Last I heard in the news, a french nuclear sub should be arriving to the place to assist the search!
Oberon
06-05-09, 07:35 PM
Did anyone warn the Brazilian subs? :O::haha:
Rhodes
06-06-09, 05:42 AM
Did anyone warn the Brazilian subs? :O::haha:

eeheheheh:ping: :haha: