Ship Hydrophones

[Sea Hawk]

The hydrophones of surface ships work when they are surfaced (obviously).

Why do we have to submerge before we can use our hydrophones?

[Jimbuna]

The early hydrophones were mounted forrad on top of the deck (in open air when surfaced) and the newer ones were mounted on the lower bow which meant as the ship plunged in and out of the water, the noise of the spray would render them useless.

Look at a modern day warship and you'll usually find them mounted in a sphere or a dome to protect them from such sea/noise conditions.

[Sea Hawk]

Thanks Jim

Are the newer hydrophones modled in SH3+GWE?
If so what type of sub do they come with & what year do they come available?
Are you then able to listen when surfaced?

[Paul Riley]

Sea Hawk,

Are you only familiar with the hydrophones that are actually mounted into the bow of the UBoat?.There is another model the KDB,which rotates via a wheel in the radio room,and is more accurate,sensitive,and has a wider field of detection (+/- 160 degrees either side I think) than the GHG (+/- 140 degrees),however is more prone to damage from DCs.
As Jim said,surface ships have theirs underneath the bow,and so we need to submerge to hear surface noises naturally.I also think the deeper you go the clearer and better receptions you will get.I normally patrol at a depth of 50m.
Have a look at the following link -
http://www.uboataces.com/hydrophones.shtml

One thing I would like to know myself here,is,can hydros actually pick up convoys at 100km away? (stock game) and what are the hydros like in GWX?,are they better,worse?.

Thanks.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Paul Riley

One thing I would like to know myself here,is,can hydros actually pick up convoys at 100km away? (stock game) and what are the hydros like in GWX?,are they better,worse?.

Thanks.

In RL, yes, without any problems at all. Modern subs can use bottom bounce and thermal layer 'magic' to hear contacts literally hundreds of miles away (depending on sea conditions).

In stock game, I very much doubt it, but it is a good while since I've played or looked at the files.

In GWX, the sensors have been 'tweaked' to allow differing hearing ranges depending on a series of parameters such as sea state and the noise making source etc.

As a rule of thumb I go on a 20/25 km hearing range.

To get 100 kms range would also mean the escorts would be hearing you pass wind before you knew it.

A further example would be lifting the destructive force of your 20mm AA gun say.....performing such an adjustment would also mean that the 20mm aboard escorts would be raised as well.

[Paul Riley]

So GWX even takes into account things like differing sea states/densities?,nice.
My copy may arrive tomorrow,and looks like i'm in for a few surprises/treats

[Sea Hawk]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

the newer ones were mounted on the lower bow which meant as the ship plunged in and out of the water, the noise of the spray would render them useless.

I missed this when I first looked at your post.
I supose a ship being bigger is a much more stable platform so the bows did not keep coming out of the water, so they can hear from above & we have to descend.

[Sea Hawk]

Thanks Paul
thanks for the link
http://www.uboataces.com/hydrophones.shtml

Interesting