TA vs Spherical in BB mode.
 

I've noticed that some of the time in broad band mode: my spherical array will show quiet running submarine contacts on the long and short term waterfalls long before my towed array (in BB) will pick up the same contact. (Even though the TA was first to 'see' the submarine in narrow band mode).

I thought that the towed array should always pick up quiet low frequency contacts first and at a longer ranges even in BB - like it always does in narrow band mode.

Can someone please explain why this sometimes doesn't seem to be the case on the broadband waterfalls?

I'm no expert in sonar systems but I think I remember reading that the spherical BB is more sensitive than the Towed Array BB, although the TA has better narrow band.

The Seawolves bluebook doesn't mention much, just that the TA has a longer detection range.

Could it be a bug? What mod are you running?

Yeah, could be that the spherical is just more sensitive in broad band under certain conditions than the TA. Good to know if that's the case.

This particular incident involved tracking an Akula that was doing 5kts under the layer at about 400ft. I was in a 688i and also under the layer, running slow just behind and about parallel to his course at a distance of 7 miles. I could see him on the TA and hull array (but not on spherical) in narrow band, but only on the spherical in broad. (Using latest version of Lwami)

PS Btw Kip, what was that book called about cold war naval espionage, which you were telling me about? It sounded pretty good, and I need something new to read...

It's a book written in Dutch, so I'm not sure if there's a translation, buuut

"Secrets of the Sea" written by "Wies Platje" ISBN 978 90 850695 2 2

Ah, looked it up, only published in Dutch :| Looks like a very interesting read though, will have to find something else that'll hit the spot.

from the LWAMI manual:

p.9 "Cylindrical/spherical and conformal/hull arrays are more sensitive relative to the Towed Array
than they were previously. This is most evident in Broadband."

Thanks Black, looks like I'm guilty of not RTFM again :oops:!

~King_Zog

Who actually reads the manual that in depth? xD

I'm always too eager to get the darn thing over with.

Me too!