Submarine detection system

Submarine detection systems are an aspect of antisubmarine warfare. They are of particular importance in nuclear deterrence, as they directly undermine one of the three arms of the nuclear triad by making counter-force attacks on submarines possible.

Types of system

They break down into two broad categories; acoustic and non-acoustic.

Acoustic systems in turn break down into active sonar systems and passive sonar systems designed to detect the acoustic signature of submarines such as SOSUS.

Non-acoustic systems can work on a variety of different physical principles, including the use of magnetic anomaly detectors^[1] and systems such as SOKS, which are believed to work by detecting phenomena such as trace chemicals, heat changes, and radioactivity left in a submarine's wake.^[2][3] There is evidence that some Royal Navy submarines are fitted with wake-detection systems.^[2]

References

1. Hambling, David. "China's quantum submarine detector could seal South China Sea". New Scientist. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
2. Trevithick, Joseph (2021-02-02). "Royal Navy Submarine Appears In Gibraltar Equipped With Enhanced Wake Detection System". The Drive. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
3. "How the Soviet Union Snooped Waters for Enemy Subs—Without Sonar". Popular Mechanics. 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2022-11-23.

Further reading

• Soviet Antisubmarine Warfare: Current Capabilities And Priorities, 1972 CIA report, declassified and published in 1995

External links

• Submarine Detection and Monitoring: Open-Source Tools and Technologies, at NPI.org