Technology and Operations
This forum is for discussing technological & operational matters pertaining to U-boats.
Re: Depth Charges and ASDIC/Sonar
Posted by:
Don Baker
()
Date: August 12, 2002 03:13PM
Hello Durand
The answer to your question is somewhat complicated. The general answer is "Yes" - a pattern of depth charge explosions does disrupt the operation of the sonar by disturbing the acoustic propagation characteristics of the water. How long the disturbance lasts is dependent upon a lot of factors but the major factors include the number of depth charges dropped, the water depth, and bottom conditions.
The sonar can blank out for a period of just a few minutes to sometimes as long as fifteen minutes. A nuclear underwater explosion can disrupt sonar conditions for hours.
Hope this is useful.
Don B
The answer to your question is somewhat complicated. The general answer is "Yes" - a pattern of depth charge explosions does disrupt the operation of the sonar by disturbing the acoustic propagation characteristics of the water. How long the disturbance lasts is dependent upon a lot of factors but the major factors include the number of depth charges dropped, the water depth, and bottom conditions.
The sonar can blank out for a period of just a few minutes to sometimes as long as fifteen minutes. A nuclear underwater explosion can disrupt sonar conditions for hours.
Hope this is useful.
Don B
