Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

USNS Invincible (T-AGOS-10) as originally configured. Aft view of equipment for the Surveillance Towed-Array Sensor System (SURTASS), 1987.

The AN/UQQ-2 Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS) is a towed array sonar system of the United States Navy.

SURTASS systems developed in the 1980s were deployed on Stalwart class ocean surveillance ships and were passive, receive only sonar systems. The array was towed miles behind the ships and were designed for long range detection of submarines.

SURTASS Low Frequency Active (LFA) systems were designed for long range detection using both active and passive sensors. The active component transmits an audio signal between 100 Hz and 500 Hz from an array suspended below the ship while the passive SURTASS array is towed miles behind to receive the signal. LFA has been criticized for its potential to injure undersea wildlife. The Navy says they have spent over $16 million on scientific research on the effects on marine mammals and mitigation systems as well as the development of an Environmental Impact Statement.[1]

SURTASS Twin-Line consists of either the long passive SURTASS array or the Twin-line array consissting of two shorter passive arrays towed side by side. The Twin-line Engineering Development Model was installed on USNS Assertive (T-AGOS-9), and the first production model was installed on USNS Bold (T-AGOS-12).[2] Both ships are no longer serving as SURTASS units.

USNS Able (T-AGOS-20) aft view of SURTASS equipment.

As of 2006, SURTASS was deployed on T-AGOS 19 Victorious class and T-AGOS 23 Impeccable class Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) vessels.[3] As well as MV Cory Chouest, the developmental ship for SURTASS LFA.