SONAC ACS

Patria SONAC ACS is a towed acoustic mine sweep built to defeat modern influence mines that use advanced acoustic triggering. It transmits recorded acoustic waveforms at high sound pressure across a wide frequency band, allowing it to simulate the sound of an arbitrary ship, and supports Mine Setting Mode, Target Simulation Mode and Mine Jamming Mode. Patria notes that both the intensity and the spatial diversity of the generated underwater sound field can be increased by towing several SONAC ACS bodies together. The body is 260 cm long and 68 cm in diameter, weighs 400 to 500 kg in air and 180 to 220 kg in water, and covers a frequency range of 7 Hz to 70 kHz. The weight recorded in the structured fields is the upper bound of the in-air range. Preferred power supply is 6 kVA three-phase at roughly 380 to 440 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz, the data interface is Ethernet, the unit is shock tested, and tow drag at 6 knots without cabling is under 2 kN. Sound-producing elements sit inside the hull, and the outer shell and frame are designed to accept additional elements such as an echo repeater or extra sonar and optical sensors. Main components are low, medium and high frequency transmitters, a hydrophone monitoring the acoustic output, a composite shell on a rigid frame, a passive pressure compensation unit for each low-frequency transmitter, an electronics housing and the control software. Onboard software presents telemetry and gear status, allows settings to be adjusted in real time, provides a signal library of acoustic signatures plus a custom waveform design tool, and exposes a command protocol interface for integration into other systems. Handling, deployment and recovery solutions are offered for closed loop, straight tail and other towed sweeping systems, and Patria states the streamlined, compact and lightweight design lets the sweep be towed by an unmanned surface vessel or similar small craft. Sweeping depth is set either with a surface float or with a frame carrying a float and depressor.