Active & Passive Sonar in SHV

[karamazovnew]

So...
1. Combined sound from convoys should travel longer... checked.
2. DDs should have realistic number of DC... checked.
3. Depth charges should hinder passive detection... checked.

But what about hiding inside a convoy and using wrecks as a sound screen? Ok I know that the sub has a specific noise that can be picked up even if it overlaps the sound of a merchant, but each knot of speed is important when dodging DDs and I doubt that any sound man could pick up a 2/3d's running sub on top of a flank running (and panicked) merchant.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by karamazovnew

But what about hiding inside a convoy and using wrecks as a sound screen?

Good point.......asdic can hear/listen through land in SH3

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by karamazovnew

So...
1. Combined sound from convoys should travel longer... checked.
2. DDs should have realistic number of DC... checked.
3. Depth charges should hinder passive detection... checked.

But what about hiding inside a convoy and using wrecks as a sound screen? Ok I know that the sub has a specific noise that can be picked up even if it overlaps the sound of a merchant, but each knot of speed is important when dodging DDs and I doubt that any sound man could pick up a 2/3d's running sub on top of a flank running (and panicked) merchant.

True, it would make it harder, but what gets lost in a game that allows external views is just how hard it is to maintain position by hydrophones alone. The soundman can't instantly tell the position and range of every ship around, so the periscope needs to be used, and that risks being sighted - especially if you're hiding in the middle of a bunch of panicked merchant seamen desparately looking for periscopes. And there's always the chance of a DD wandering into your lane and picking you up anyway. The only other option is to go deep, and that negates the advantage of hiding in the convoy.

What I always love is people reporting hiding under a merchant. Sure, it was done in real life - sometimes - but it wasn't easy and they didn't have external views to help.

As for 2/3-speed subs and flank-speed merchants, they do sound quite different, and an escort's soundman is likely to be just as good as yours.