SCXIIC:solving out the bearing ambiguity in towed array narrowband

Stanny · 02-15-08, 01:27 PM

Hello all captains,

Maybe anyone will give me a hand,and a piece of advice in such situation.Seawolf's TB-29 port towed array is showing nothing in broadband,but narrowband at 50 Hz tonal is picking out Akula class sub at two different bearings.

How could I distinguish which one of those narrowband towed array bearings is an ambiguous bearing?The task is complicated as I cannot have both 50 Hz lines on display at one time,so I cannot see,which one of them is changing it's bearing,getting darker,or getting different elseway while the Seawolf is completing a turn in order to solve out the ambiguity.

How do you usually deal with such weak towed array contacts when solving out the bearing ambiguity?

Best regards,
Stan.

sonar732 · 02-15-08, 01:56 PM

I would go ahead and mark both of them. Find out which layer the unknown sub is in and go to the opposite. Launch a UUV from the opposite layer and make the depth of the UUV on the same side as your questionable contact. If the UUV can't pick it up yet, do a course change and the drop the wrong one.

Stanny · 02-15-08, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonar732

I would go ahead and mark both of them. Find out which layer the unknown sub is in and go to the opposite. Launch a UUV from the opposite layer and make the depth of the UUV on the same side as your questionable contact. If the UUV can't pick it up yet, do a course change and the drop the wrong one.

Thanks,sonar732.I will give it a try.Actually,I have never used an UUV yet.

Stanny · 02-15-08, 03:42 PM

You were right,as always,sonar732.

I marked both contacts in narrowband,designated S01 and S02.Classified them as Akulas and launched an UUV towards S02.The UUV detected no contacts at the bearing of S02 and I dropped it off.

Then,I calculated a TMA solution for S01,preset one MK-48 ADCAP for active homing,other for passive and launched both from the range of approximately 7000 yards.I was greatly surprised when one of those torpedoes hit and sank a Victor-III sub!There was a Victor-III,although narrowband identified 50 Hz signature as that of Akula-I.

Here is a screenshot showing that Victor-III was a bit far away from original narrowband S01 contact.

That under ice mission of Seawolf's campaign is unbelievable.There are several different subs,and you get different kills each time you play it.

sonar732 · 02-15-08, 04:37 PM

You actually didn't do it the way I was intending.

For instance, just because you couldn't get a contact off of the UUV doesn't mean that he wasn't there. As evident by the light 50hz tonal, he was going slow...that's why the UUV didn't pick him up...granted, the distance didn't help the UUV either. Keep the UUV going until it runs out of gas. Shoot...with the Seawolf, I've seen players have 2 UUV's going to get a great TMA reading. In your situation, I would've sent one on the course of each of the mirrored contact bearings. Sooner or later you would've came up with something.

Also, just because you have a 50hz tonal doesn't mean you've got an Akula-I. IIRC, the Akula-I is defaulted as the first selection in classification. All non-American subs have the 50hz tonal. Have the frequency range set for 100hz first, then expand to gain a better understanding of which class it is.

Stanny · 02-16-08, 01:54 AM

I agree,that might be more likely a lucky shot,than result of contact analysis.But I have tracked the UUV without cutting the wire almost until the false contact,closed the torpedo tube muzzle door only after I lost UUV both from navigation and target screens.There was no other UUV in weapon stores for this mission,only one was on board.

sonar732 · 02-16-08, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanny

I agree,that might be more likely a lucky shot,than result of contact analysis.But I have tracked the UUV without cutting the wire almost until the false contact,closed the torpedo tube muzzle door only after I lost UUV both from navigation and target screens.There was no other UUV in weapon stores for this mission,only one was on board.

With the Seawolf, you have a major decision on your hands from the briefing. Each time that you select a mission, look deep into it. Will I even need TASM's or TLAM's?

Place one UUV in tubes 7 & 8, then add another one in the stores. This will give you 4 total. My Seawolf ASW configuration is 6 tubes dedicated to MK 48 ADCAP's with 28 in the stores, 10 TASM and TLAM each in stores, and 2 UUV in tubes 7 & 8 with 2 more in stores.

You might find something more towards your style of play regarding how many TASM and TLAM's you have in your stores. For me, the TASM is more for play since a. They're no longer in the US Navy inventory and b. It's nice to watch a TASM complete the coup de grace thru the scope.

Stanny · 02-16-08, 10:04 AM

Thanks for advice,sonar732.My typical loadout for Seawolf is that one with emphasis on MK-48 ADCAP torpedoes (all tubes are pre-loaded with them).However,this time I have had to unload the tube during mission and reload it with only UUV.TASMs and TLAMs as well as all other gear are in stores.

I never use TASMs against surface ships,actually,as every Tomahawk is usually met with heavy barrage of anti-aircraft fire.So,MK-48 ADCAP is my weapon of choice for antisubmarine or antiship missions.

02-15-08, 01:27 PM	#1
Stanny Loader Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 88 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	SCXIIC:solving out the bearing ambiguity in towed array narrowband Hello all captains, Maybe anyone will give me a hand,and a piece of advice in such situation.Seawolf's TB-29 port towed array is showing nothing in broadband,but narrowband at 50 Hz tonal is picking out Akula class sub at two different bearings. How could I distinguish which one of those narrowband towed array bearings is an ambiguous bearing?The task is complicated as I cannot have both 50 Hz lines on display at one time,so I cannot see,which one of them is changing it's bearing,getting darker,or getting different elseway while the Seawolf is completing a turn in order to solve out the ambiguity. How do you usually deal with such weak towed array contacts when solving out the bearing ambiguity? Best regards, Stan.

02-15-08, 01:56 PM	#2
sonar732 The Old Man Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Central MO Posts: 1,562 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	I would go ahead and mark both of them. Find out which layer the unknown sub is in and go to the opposite. Launch a UUV from the opposite layer and make the depth of the UUV on the same side as your questionable contact. If the UUV can't pick it up yet, do a course change and the drop the wrong one.

02-15-08, 03:42 PM	#4
Stanny Loader Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 88 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You were right,as always,sonar732. I marked both contacts in narrowband,designated S01 and S02.Classified them as Akulas and launched an UUV towards S02.The UUV detected no contacts at the bearing of S02 and I dropped it off. Then,I calculated a TMA solution for S01,preset one MK-48 ADCAP for active homing,other for passive and launched both from the range of approximately 7000 yards.I was greatly surprised when one of those torpedoes hit and sank a Victor-III sub!There was a Victor-III,although narrowband identified 50 Hz signature as that of Akula-I. Here is a screenshot showing that Victor-III was a bit far away from original narrowband S01 contact. That under ice mission of Seawolf's campaign is unbelievable.There are several different subs,and you get different kills each time you play it.

02-15-08, 04:37 PM	#5
sonar732 The Old Man Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Central MO Posts: 1,562 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	You actually didn't do it the way I was intending. For instance, just because you couldn't get a contact off of the UUV doesn't mean that he wasn't there. As evident by the light 50hz tonal, he was going slow...that's why the UUV didn't pick him up...granted, the distance didn't help the UUV either. Keep the UUV going until it runs out of gas. Shoot...with the Seawolf, I've seen players have 2 UUV's going to get a great TMA reading. In your situation, I would've sent one on the course of each of the mirrored contact bearings. Sooner or later you would've came up with something. Also, just because you have a 50hz tonal doesn't mean you've got an Akula-I. IIRC, the Akula-I is defaulted as the first selection in classification. All non-American subs have the 50hz tonal. Have the frequency range set for 100hz first, then expand to gain a better understanding of which class it is.

02-16-08, 01:54 AM	#6
Stanny Loader Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 88 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I agree,that might be more likely a lucky shot,than result of contact analysis.But I have tracked the UUV without cutting the wire almost until the false contact,closed the torpedo tube muzzle door only after I lost UUV both from navigation and target screens.There was no other UUV in weapon stores for this mission,only one was on board.

02-16-08, 10:04 AM	#8
Stanny Loader Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 88 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for advice,sonar732.My typical loadout for Seawolf is that one with emphasis on MK-48 ADCAP torpedoes (all tubes are pre-loaded with them).However,this time I have had to unload the tube during mission and reload it with only UUV.TASMs and TLAMs as well as all other gear are in stores. I never use TASMs against surface ships,actually,as every Tomahawk is usually met with heavy barrage of anti-aircraft fire.So,MK-48 ADCAP is my weapon of choice for antisubmarine or antiship missions.