SAES company director (SA Electronic Underwater) set out new trends in subsea sensors under antisubmarine surveillance for the navy Technology Conference held at the School of Naval Engineers in Madrid.

The benchmark company in underwater acoustics in Spain, specialist in the area of ​​surveillance and submarine defence, has participated in the conference «IMPACT OF NAVAL CONSTRUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY IN SPANISH INDUSTRY» organized by the Spanish Armada, to treat specific technological developments in submarine technology.
The lecture entitled «New Trends in underwater sensors” stressed the importance of submarine surveillance in the Mediterranean Sea, which is evident given the conflicts in countries that border, and the known fact that submarines from many countries, not only surrounding, are patrolling daily.

 
The detection of submarines based on the use of sonar is a complex discipline that requires high technology and trained crews; otherwise, it is relatively easy unwanted intrusion taking advantage of the existence of «blind spots», as well known to those involved in this naval area.

 
These «blind spots» can be minimized by exploiting the latest technological advances and integrated manner using platforms and sensors placed at the service of force, is what is known as «ASW – Network Centric Warfare». Extensive use of drones UAV, USV and UUV as integrated remote sensing, bi-static and multi-static processing using sonar buoys and variable depth sonar all members of the force, the combined signal processing and low medium frequency and a robust broadband communication systems, i.e., low failure rate, are the new trends in subsea sensors to achieve a scenario more comprehensive and effective detection.

Figure 1: Example of reducing blind spots by bi-static processing of different sensors.

SAES, as a high-tech enterprise, invests a significant amount of their budget to R + D + I and takes years studying and integrating their systems in new developments in service across platforms worldwide. «Specifically in the area in question, we have developed the ROASW (Remote Operation ASW system). This system, based on acoustic sonobuoys processing, allows the exchange of information between multiple platforms (surface ships as frigates or corvettes, helicopters, UAVs, …) the centralized management and the rapid making decisions” says the director of SAES Antonio Cordero, while highlighting the undeniable opportunity to apply this technology to new units under programs of European and transatlantic partnership, to enhance underwater surveillance in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

It was during the celebration of the international conference MARTECH in Cartagena last week, where the latest advances in marine technology was presented.

The increasing human interaction with the marine environment is bringing about a continuous growth in the ambient noise levels, which aggregates to the traditionally existing noises produced by natural sources. Those noises, produced by human activity as cruisers, offshore wind farms, ports, etc. can affect, sometimes in a severe way, to the wellbeing of the marine fauna.

To date studies have centered on the acoustic radiation, leaving in a second place the rest of radiations which also have a proven effect on marine life. In order to help to fill this gap, this study centers on analyzing the levels and correlations patterns of several types of energy radiations in the marine environment: acoustic, electric, magnetic and seismic, specifically the radiations emitted by cruises. This kind of vessel have an increasing presence and importance worldwide, reason why its impact in the sea routes must be studied, in order to minimize the possible effects in the environment.

SAES has developed the measurements by a own-manufacturing system, capable of the simultaneously measurement of all the radiated influences; the MIRS (Multi-influence range system). This system, that can be configured as a fixed station for vessels, also have the advantage to be portable and easily deployable from a small boat, available to the implantation in any place and making easy the noise measurements, as well as other influences.

Results show not only a significant level of correlation between acoustic and seismic radiations by one side and electric and magnetic by other side, but additionally a correlation degree among the four analyzed radiations.

These results are part of a broad set of studies in the field of underwater emissions that society is conducting as part of its activities in the field of R + D + i in the civil sector.

SAES participates with a stand (S7-362), shared with Navantia, in the International Defence and Security Exhibition DSEI at London from 15 to 18 September.

SAES, referent in Spain in underwater acoustics and electronics, attends to DSEI in a favourable environment; “the latest plans in Europe and Asia to modernize the Navies include submarines, surface platforms, helos, unmanned vessels, UAVs, etc. SAES, as specialist in underwater electronics, has a wide range of systems at the forefront of the market in those areas,” asserts the commercial manager. Effectively, the company offers solutions in different fields of submarine warfare, specifically in Sonar Systems, ASW, Sonobuoy Processing, Signature Intelligence, Multi-influence Naval Mines, Maritime and Coast Security and Simulation, suitable for all type of platforms.

SAES is getting numerous visits from local and foreign official delegations, as well as from companies interested in their products to establish partnerships that will achieve greater success. In fact, the joint participation with Navantia at the fair it is a way to exploit the synergies between these two major Spanish companies.

At Sonar area, the high-frequency active sonar «DDS-03 (intruder detection sonar)» has caught the interest of participants since allow the underwater surveillance and protection of critical facilities as ports and refineries. This kind of systems are being required by a growing number of countries because they are an efficient protection systems against asymmetric threats, which are being taking into account, increasingly, in the strategies of defence of the countries. «Our system can cover large areas and allows the processing of up to 10 sonar and also can be integrated into any surveillance system together to others sensors and systems» says the head of the sonar commercial line. «Furthermore, DDS offers additional capabilities such as the wireless communication and the training,» he adds.

In the modern ASW framework, which variety of platforms (frigates, corvets, helos, UAVs…) collaborate in a Network Centric Warfare (NCW) to interchange information, is mandatory the use of systems that allows the centralized managing of this and the quickly decision making. “The ROASW system, developed by SAES and based on the acoustic processing of sonobuoys, is the perfect solution to manage this kind of ASW mission since it constitutes a unique, fully integrated ship/air weapon solution that allow to make decisions in a quick and agile centralized way, and the communication of tactical data and acoustic by Surface –To – Surface (S2S), Surface – To – Helo (S2H) and Surface – To – Satellite (SATCOM)”, sustains the head of ASW commercial line. In fact, the Swedish Royal Navy has equipped their Visby class corvettes and the HKP-15 helicopters with the ROASW system (formerly known as SDL).

SAES, as an expert at the measuring and control of underwater signatures (acoustic, sismica, magnetic, electric and pressure), develops systems for Underwater SIGINT as MIRS (Multi-influence range system) as well as naval mines (MINEA-Multi-influence Naval Mines), both exercise and combat versions. The exercise mine can be used, in addition to training at MCM, to gather intelligence information by measurement and recording of ships influence signatures.

The easy integration of its systems and the experience in important international programs are some of the keys characteristics highlighted by SAES that provide them the opportunity to work for numerous Navies around the world.