Scope “Protection from sea threats”

Sea routes are among the main for cargo transfer. In sea ports the hypothetical explosive devices is capable of causing serious human and economic damage. Development of on-time and quality imaging in real time, particularly for the underwater threats, which are difficult to detect are our special priority.

RESEARCH TASKS

The prevention from sea threats comprises mainly protection of harbors, refineries, storages for energy resources, strategic infrastructure enterprises. This makes it necessary to provide on-time and quality imaging in real time, particularly for the underwater threats, which are difficult to detect and are a special priority for terrorist attacks.

The efforts in this line are to be directed towards execution of the following tasks:
1. Investigation of the special features of the hydroacoustic signals propagation in the costal areas of the Black sea and the Danube through determination of the space-time characteristics.
2. Development of means for detection of potential threats. These means could include:

Sector scan sonar
Preferably the sector scan sonar provides scanning in sector (60±10)° in horizontal plane and (7±2)° in vertical plane. These requirements can be met in electronic manner mainly in two ways:

  • By electronic switching between several preliminary formed and space oriented directional patterns of a multi-component hydro-acoustic antenna;
  • By electronic switching between static formed directional patterns from separate hydro-acoustic antennas, which possess the required acoustic properties.

Circular scan sonar
Preferably the circular scan sonar provides scanning at 360° in horizontal plane and in sector (7±2)° in vertical plane. These requirements can be met mainly in two ways:

  • Through mechanical rotation of the antenna system;
  • Through electronic switching between static formed directional patterns from separate hydro-acoustic antennas, which possess the required acoustic properties.

In the same time, the sonars are controlled by a hydro acoustic system for control of underwater objects. Preferably, standard letter-digital display is used which enables visualization of more than 10,000 combinations and the respective operation modes.

The microprocessor synthesizes series of carrier frequency (depending on the antenna), modulated with digital impulses depending on the code entered using the keyboard.

The hydro-acoustic transmitting antenna can be developed on the base of piezo-ceramic cylinders of different radial resonance frequency.

3. Development of means for lethal and non-lethal counteractions against terrorists.

  • Underwater device for consecutive generation of powerful low-frequency hydroacoustic impulses.
  • Highly efficient bottom device with independent drive and remote control, which will be employed as effective part of the system for protection of harbors, bays and other water areas against underwater subversive actions.
  • Enclosing net built on module principle with possibilities for deployment at different lengths and depth. The netting is part of a stationary system for protection of harbor installations, oil terminals and coastal areas accessible for assaults.

ANTICIPATED EFFECTS AND RESULTS

In the scope of “Protection from sea threats” the following effects and results shall be achieved:
1. Development of a family of underwater means for detection and protection of underwater objects on the basis of the investigation of hydro-acoustic signals propagation.
2. Development of a system for identification and detection of underwater objects.
3. Development of obstacle devices.
4. Training of personnel for operation with the system.