Basin Acoustic Seamount Scattering Experiment (BASSEX ’04) III. Array performance

• Published in: The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 2005-04, Vol.117 (4_Supplement), p.2472-2472
• Main Authors: Becker, Kyle M., Baggeroer, Arthur B., Heaney, Kevin D., Scheer, Edward K., von der Heydt, Keith
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Marine
• ISSN: 0001-4966; 1520-8524
• DOI: 10.1121/1.4787494

The ONR Five-Octave Research Array (FORA) was employed as the acoustic receiving system during the Basin Acoustic Seamount Scattering Experiment (BASSEX04). The array was primarily used in a towed configuration with receptions recorded for source/receiver separation distances ranging from 500–3200 km. Measurements made in proximity to the 75 Hz source moored near Kauai used a vertical array configuration. This paper presents array capabilities and performance during this first deep-water application of the FORA. Both acoustic and non-acoustic array performance during the BASSEX will be examined. In particular, array attitude and stability will be reviewed for different tow conditions, and for the array vertically deployed. Flow noise over the array will be examined for different tow speeds. Own-ship noise contamination will be presented for the array deployed vertically. Acoustic data will be presented as both individual channel measurements and beamformed output for a variety of source/receiver geometries and propagation conditions. Data quality will be assessed as it pertains to the stated objectives of a particular measurement. Based on both acoustic and non-acoustic performance characteristics the advantages and/or deficiencies of the FORA will be discussed for its use in future low-frequency long-range acoustic propagation research. [Work supported by ONR Ocean Acoustics Program.]