GB2468042A

GB2468042A - Detection and identification of submerged vessels

Info

Publication number: GB2468042A
Application number: GB201003068A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Daniel Dowling Hickey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-02-23
Filing date: 2010-02-23
Publication date: 2010-08-25
Also published as: GB201003068D0; GB0903023D0

Abstract

An underwater communication device comprises an enclosure to be secured (e.g. by burying) to the seabed. The enclosure contains sensors to detect seismic signals received through the seabed and identifies from these signals those which have been generated by submerged vessel within range of the device. Further sensors contained within the enclosure detect acoustic, magnetic or pressure signals emitted from the vessel, and the system compares the detected signals with previously recorded information from passing vessels, the comparison taking place locally or remotely, in order to identify the vessel under detection. Information relating to the received signals is transmitted to a remote receiving station for further use in monitoring, tracking or attacking the vessel.

Description

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UNDERWATER COMMUNICATION DEVICES

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for detecting and identifying the passage of submerged vessels i.e. submarines and in particular submarines carrying nuclear weapons.

UK Patent Publication No. 2222805 describes and illustrates underwater communication devices comprising an enclosure, means to secure (e.g. by burying) the enclosure to the seabed, sonar listening equipment in the enclosure for receiving sonar signals from the surrounding water, a plurality of communication beacons enclosed in individual buoyant containers, means for releasable holding the beacons in the enclosure and means for releasing the beacon from the enclosure in response to receipt of a sonar signal by said sonar receiving means to allow the beacon to surface and transmit signals pursuant to the receipt of said sonar signals from passing vessels whether surface or submerged.

The specification also disclosed that the sonar

receiving apparatus could include means to store different sonar signals emitted by different surface or underwater vessels whether hostile or friendly with means to receive and compare a sonar signal with the stored sonar signals and means to initiate a release of a beacon in response to any sonar signal identified as being that of a hostile vessel to transmit the signal indicating the presence of such a vessel.

Submerged vessels generate signals which notify their presence, even when "Stationary" or "Dead in the water" -for example by auxiliary machinery, or by onboard activity.

When underway, submerged vessels disclose their presence by one or more of the following signals: noise, magnetic field changes, seismic vibrations through the sea bed, and pressure changes caused by passage of the vessel through the water.

Such signals are known as Multi Influence Target Indicators (MITI) and will always accompany the movement of vessels and in particular submerged vessels which cannot be seen thereby creating a unique and identifiable "voiceprint" which can be used to identify at least the class or type of vessel and possibly a particular vessel.

This invention provides an underwater communication device comprising an enclosure to be located on the seabed, the enclosure having means to detect seismic signals acoustic, magnetic or pressure signals emitted from a submerged vessel in the vicinity of the communications device for local or remote identification of the vessel by comparison with previously gathered data and means to transmit the received signals for remote interpretation or for transmitting signals relating to the identification of a vessel following local interpretation.

Thus the communication device may include means to receive and record:- (a) Seismic Signals generated by a submerged vessel (i.e. Vibratory Signals, which are transmitted through the Earth's Crust; (b) Acoustic Signals generated by a submerged vessel, e.g. Noise particularly when transmitted through Air and/or Water; (c) Magnetic Signals generated by a submerged vessel; and (d) Pressure waves transmitted through the surrounding water from a submerged vessel.

A matching combination of the above signals including the vessel pressure pattern can provide the necessary information to identify nuclear submarines. Such equipment can be deployed in an underwater communication device as described above in harbour approaches or confined waterways so that the movement of such vessels can readily be monitored and used when necessary to attack them.

Seismic vibrations travel vast distances through the seabed and at considerable speed (e.g. pressure waves at up to 13,000 MPH) and may/are therefore be able to offer "an early warning" signal long before any fleet or vessel appears.

Therefore Seismic vibrations can in effect become "Seismic Signals", thereby offering "an early warning" signal long before a vessel is in the vicinity.

Submarines generate long wave pressure patterns quite distinctive from those of surface vessels. Thus pressure changes are particularly valuable in identifying and confirming the passage of submarines.

Such signals when matched with the distinctive pressure pattern of a submarine could be used to "confirm/fingerprint" the passage of a Nuclear Armed Submarine as it leaves, enters its home port or passes through monitored areas such as "Choke Points" of the seas.

The approaches to Harbours/Ports are constantly busy.

Deploying a vessel detection system clandestinely in the path of submarines would enable movement in and out of harbour of submarine including nuclear powered and equipped submarines could readily be monitored.

Nuclear weapon armed submarines can only be maintained and serviced by specialist bases -their Home 9orts.

Thus by deploying the underwater communication device of the present invention in the approaches of such suspected and known ports it is possible to identify and store the distinctive voice prints of Nuclear Veapon Carrying Submarines as they transit/enter and leave their Home Ports, e.g. in say the USA, San Diego and Norfolk Virginia, in Russia, say Vladivostok and Murmansk and in the UK, say Fas lane.

Such submarines can therefore be detected and the relevant identification information can be recorded. Such vessels can then be identified when they pass into and out of their home ports so that they can be tracked and their whereabouts monitored. Submarines therefore become highly vulnerable and could be destroyed at will by an enemy who has deployed detection equipment as indicated above.

Thus the present invention envisages a seabed container containing equipment for picking up Seismic, Acoustic or Sonar signals/information relating to targeted vessels and then communicating/transcribing such information by for example into buoyant releasable beacons, which when surfaced are able to broadcast a coded radio message containing the relevant information to be compared with previously recorded signals for vessels passing in the region to identify the vessel for future monitoring, tracking or even attacking and destruction.

The following is a description of a specific embodiment of the invention in which an underwater communication device is deployed on the sea-bed for detecting and identifying a passing vessel.

The device comprises an enclosure which is adapted to self-bury in the sea bed. For example the enclosure may have a burying mechanism as described and illustrated in UK Patent Publication No. 2,222,805.

The enclosure contains a sensitive device for detecting seismic signals received through the sea bed and to identify the seismic signals generated by a submerged vessel within range of the communication device. The enclosure also contains a device to detect acoustic and/or magnetic and/or pressure signals omitted from a vessel in the vicinity of the communication device. The detection means includes means for recording information emitted from previously passing vessels and from which the vessels have been identified. An arrangement for comparing new data received from a passing vessel seismically, acoustically, magnetically or by pressure signals as indicated above and for comparing the information with the records of previous vessels to see whether the current vessel can be identified.

The comparison arrangement can be performed in situ and a transmitting arrangement is provided for transmitting the identity of the vessel detected to a remote station.

Alternatively, the signals received from the passing vessel can be transmitted to a remote station for analysis and comparison with records of previously detected vessels to see whether the current vessel can be identified.

I propose that by tracking nuclear carrying submarines as they enter and exit their home ports, that the signals they emit, whether seismic, acoustic, sonar or pressure can be collected and combined, to produce a unique Multi Influence signal (MIS) Thus: - (a) the seismic signal transmitted at some 13,000 m.p.h. will be the "Trigger" and the first to be received and recorded, followed by the (b) acoustic signal transmitted at say some 362 yards per second to be followed by magnetic and pressure signals, in that order.

Thereby creating a unique and identifiable MIS, particular if the "Time and Date" of receipt of the signal is also incorporated.

All of which when recorded and stored, can be collated and transmitted for the benefit of those who are suitably equipped to receive and who wish to interdict nuclear carrying submarines.

The essence of my proposal is therefore, that by deploying my underwater communication device (Checkmate) in the ISTAR role, it becomes possible to clandestinely identify/record and store for future reference, the various signals which NWCS emit as they "transit" the littorals and the known and restricted waters of the approaches to their home ports say; Faslane in the UK, Norfolk Virginia, San Diego, in the USA and perhaps Vladivostok and Murmansk in Russia, perhaps, all of which may therefore be stored and utilised for defensive purposes.

Voiceprint Library Thereby creating and recording a library of unique voiceprints (References) . This in effect means that NWCS can not only be monitored and tracked by Checkmate when it is deployed anywhere in its ISTAR role, in particular say, choke points, sensitive waters and the littorals.

It also means in effect therefore, that the submarine is no longer a stealth weapon, but can and will inadvertently notify its presence by such voice proints/signals (whenever and wherever it moves) to those suitably equipped to receive them and who may wish or "need to know" the precise locations of any, or all NWCS.

The acronym ISTAR stands for the following: I = Information Gathering S = Surveillance T = Target A = Acquisition R = Reconnaissance Thus:- (a) the seismic signal transmitted at some 13,000 mph will be the "Trigger" and the first to be received and recorded, followed by the (b) acoustic signal transmitted at say some 362 yards per second to be followed by magnetic and pressure signals, in that order.

Thereby creating a unique and identifiable Multi Influence Target Indicator "MITI" signal, particularly if the "Time and Date" of receipt of the signal is also incorporated.

All of which when recorded and stored can be collated/coded and transmitted for the b enefit of those who are suitably equipped to receive and who wish to interdict nuclear weapon carrying submarines.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An underwater communication device comprising an enclosure to be secured (e.g. by burying) to the seabed, the enclosure containing means to detect seismic signals received through the seabed and to identify seismic signals generated by a submerged vessel within range of the communication device and further means to detect acoustic, magnetic or pressure signals emitted from a vessel in the vicinity of the communication device for identification of the vessel by comparison with previously recorded information from passing vessels locally or remotely and means to transmit information relating to the received signals to a remote receiving station for further use in monitoring, tracking or attacking a vessel.
2. An underwater communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein batches of the signals received from each source and corresponding to a particular vessel are stored for transmission to the remote receiving station.
3. An underwater communication device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the remote underwater communication device has means to store batches of signals for vessels which are required to be recognised and means are provided for comparing each batch of new signals with previously recorded batches to determine whether a new batch relates to a known or unknown vessel.