AN/SLQ-25 Nixie
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The AN/SLQ-25 Nixie is a towed torpedo decoy used on US and allied warships. It consists of a towed decoy device, and a shipboard signal generator. The decoy emits signals to draw a torpedo away from its intended target.
The Nixie attempts to defeat a torpedo's passive sonar by emitting simulated ship noise, such as propellor and engine noise, which is more attractive than the ship to the torpedo's sensors. Active sonar is decoyed by amplifying and returning "pings" from the torpedo, presenting a larger false target to the torpedo.
The more modern AN/SLQ-25B also incorporates a towed array sensor, to detect submarines and incoming torpedoes.
Typically two Nixie dispensers are mounted on the rear of the ship, to allow operation in pairs.
Under a joint UK/ US Memorandum of Understanding, the UK MoD and the US DoD are furthering torpedo survivability systems. The US is currently working on an Active Source programme called the DCL Technology Demonstrator programme and the UK has developed and entered into service the S2170 Surface Ship Torpedo Defence system.
