Sediment Characteristics of Toroidal Volume Search Sonar (TVSS) Test Sites OffPanama City, Florida

摘要

Acoustic tests were conducted at two sites off Panama City, FL, using theToroidal Volume Search Sonar (TVSS) which is under development at the Naval Surface Warfare Centers Coastal Systems Station. Inverse modeling of the resultant TVSS acoustic data, using the BOGGART Backscatter model developed by the Applied Research Laboratory at the University of Texas, indicates differences between the sediment physical properties and/or bottom roughness of the sites. Neither seafloor roughness (microtopography) measurements nor bottom samples for sediment properties measurements were obtained during the TVSS tests. Therefore, the purpose of this report is to provide documented information as to the seafloor and sediment characteristics of the two test sites for use in evaluating the potential of the TVSS to classify sediments. The information obtained is consistent with the inverse modeling results, i.e., differences in bottom roughness and sediment physical properties do indeed exist at the two test sites. Therefore, upon initial analysis, the concept of using the TVSS as a bottom sediment classifier when it is operating in its designed role of minefield reconnaissance appears viable. However, this concept should be tested over a variety of seafloors that have been thoroughly characterized according to microtopography and sediment physical properties.