Measuring Underwater Acoustic Signatures of NATO Naval Vessels

HBK provides a detailed case study about how the Royal Norwegian Navy measures and analyzes the underwater acoustic signatures of NATO naval vessels at Heggernes using advanced hydrophones, analyzers, and customized software.

The article contextualizes the underwater acoustic range at Heggernes, near Bergen. It is used to measure the acoustic signatures of NATO naval vessels, with the Royal Norwegian Navy having overall responsibility for the station’s operation and maintenance, and for testing Royal Norwegian and Royal Danish vessels.

HBK explains acoustic ranging, which measures the noise generated by vessels at various speeds. Noise ranging is performed after maintenance work, modifications, or the installation of new equipment. New and refitted vessels are measured to identify changes and deviations from specified noise levels.

The range performs static and dynamic acoustic measurements. In static ranging, vessels are moored between buoys while hydrophones on the seabed measure noise from onboard systems. For dynamic ranging, vessels follow a course, with hydrophones at variable depths capturing noise at the closest point of approach (CPA). GPS and sonar systems determine vessel positions, and voice communication is maintained via secure digital radio or underwater telephone.

The range house at Heggernes uses Brüel & Kjær equipment, including PULSE™ multi-analyzers, hydrophones, amplifiers, and sound level meters. Data collection is highly automated, with vessels taking four test runs and FFT analysis utilized. The Heggernes range provides proven data accuracy and minimal hydrophone recalibration.

Read ‘The Royal Norwegian Navy Underwater Acoustic Noise Measurement of Vessels’ to find out more information.