Forcys understands that underwater ranges are critical assets that support naval operations, providing controlled environments for sensor calibration, acoustic source level determination, and real-world validation of anti-submarine and mine warfare tactics. Read more >>
These sophisticated systems require specialized tools to deploy, track, and recover submerged equipment with precision.
Essential Tools for Underwater Range Operations
Optimizing an underwater range demands the right equipment to ensure seamless operations. The following technologies play a crucial role in successful underwater tracking and validation exercises:
Acoustic Pingers
Acoustic pingers are essential for tracking underwater targets with high accuracy. Our technology partner Sonardyne offers commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) acoustic pingers designed for easy deployment and compatibility with a range of COTS tracking systems. For specialized applications, Chelsea Technologies provides bespoke pinger solutions tailored to unique operational requirements.
Ultra-Short Baseline (USBL) Systems
A fundamental component of underwater positioning, USBL systems precisely determine the location of submerged objects. The Ranger 2 family of USBL systems from Sonardyne offers a suite of solutions customizable for different mission needs, ensuring robust and reliable tracking of underwater assets.
Acoustic Releases
Equipped with mechanical release mechanisms triggered by acoustic signals, these devices enable remote deployment and recovery of sensors, seabed instruments, and surface buoys. Sonardyne’s acoustic release systems, integrated within the Ranger 2 USBL family, offer secure, efficient, and remote-controlled recovery operations.
Echo Repeaters and Acoustic Sources
For sonar testing and calibration, echo repeaters and acoustic sources provide vital capabilities. These systems transmit custom signals, simulate Doppler effects, and introduce reflections to enhance sonar effectiveness. Chelsea Technologies’ ERAS system offers a compact, easily deployable solution covering a wide frequency range, making it an ideal tool for real-world sonar validation.
Scalable Solutions for Next-Generation Training
Traditional naval ranges require extensive infrastructure and maintenance, often limiting capacity for new training needs. As autonomous and uncrewed systems continue to expand in operational roles, scalable solutions are essential to meet the growing demand for underwater tracking capabilities.
To address this challenge, Forcys has collaborated with Sonardyne to develop the Position Vector Transponder (PVT) system. These transponders serve as the backbone of a deployable range system that can be deployed anywhere at any depth on a lean budget. Offering high positional accuracy across a broader water volume than USBL solutions, PVTs provide a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective approach to underwater training and validation.
The effectiveness of this system has been successfully demonstrated through partnerships with QinetiQ at MoD BUTEC and REPMUS, as well as its implementation within Smart Sound Plymouth — leading-edge underwater test and evaluation site.
As naval forces integrate more advanced underwater technologies, ensuring access to scalable, deployable range solutions will be key to maintaining operational superiority. With proven systems like PVT and state-of-the-art acoustic tracking tools, warfighters can train and prepare effectively for real-world missions.
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