Sonardyne - Intruder Detection Sonar

For over 30 years Sonardyne has been a pioneer in the use of underwater sound for navigation, positioning and communications. Today, the company is at the forefront in the development of technology for maritime security applications protecting marine assets.

SENTINEL INTRUDER DETECTION SONAR

Sentinel is a new Intruder Detection Sonar (IDS) designed to counter the threat of underwater attacks against ships, harbours, strategic coastal assets and offshore oil platforms.

The reliable detection of underwater targets and their discrimination from marine mammals is a notoriously difficult problem. The Sentinel IDS system addresses this challenge by combining state-of-the-art sonar technology, Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) based processing units, and automated detection, classification and tracking software which has been tested and proven in extensive trials in the harshest environmental conditions.

SENTINEL SONAR HEAD

With a sonar head measuring just 44cm tall by 33cm diameter and weighing 30kg in air, the Sentinel sonar array is considerably smaller than any other system currently available, yet provides a full 360° of coverage and is capable of reliably detecting underwater targets up to 900m away.

The compact size makes it ideal for expeditionary operation as it is capable of being easily palletised and rapidly deployed. The system can be mounted in many different ways, including suspension by its own cable, pole-mounted or on the seabed.

The practicality of its design makes Sentinel a realistic option for protecting a wide range of maritime assets. Expeditionary and small craft warfare units in overseas ports are widely recognised as the most visible and vulnerable of targets, but Sentinel can be used to protect any sensitive fixed installation with a water perimeter. These include oil and gas refineries, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals and power stations.

With many of these facilities already deploying conventional terrestrial security systems – including thermal imaging, CCTV and radar – Sentinel now closes the defensive circle against intruders.

HARBOUR ENTRANCE OR FIXED-POINT PROTECTION

Constant vessel traffic, noise from continually active depth sounders and a complex thermal structure typify a harbour entrance or fixed-point protection scenario.

Sentinel has been specifically designed to cope with these adverse conditions and is capable of tracking thousands of targets in real time with only genuine threats causing an alarm to which the operator or observer can react.

Mounted in a either a seabed frame looking upwards or on a permanent harbour wall-mount looking across the entrance, Sentinel is easy to install and configure for autonomous operation from a remote monitoring station.

NETWORKED PORT INSTALLATION

Sentinel has been designed to operate in a stand-alone or networked mode with up to ten sonar heads per command station, offering a cost-effective solution to large area coverage. The top-level tactical picture, coupled with zoom coverage of any individual head, will increase the level of domain awareness in an estuary, coastal environment or complex port and can be totally integrated into a central command system with above-water surveillance.

SECURE UNDERWATER PERIMETER FOR HIGH-VALUE ASSETS

Sentinel's compact size and lightweight design make it a practical solution for rapid mobilisation to meet an evolving threat. With minimum storage requirements, the Sentinel system can be carried on board as part of a mobile or expeditionary security unit, providing a secure underwater perimeter for high-value assets in less than 30min

Providing wide-area coverage, Sentinel is designed to provide secure underwater perimeters for assets that include naval vessels at anchor in overseas ports, cruise liners in harbour and super yachts moored off the coast.

INTEGRATION WITH TERRESTRIAL SECURITY SYSTEMS

The threat of insurgency, vandalism or criminal activity is not restricted to ports or military assets. Any oil and gas installation, whether coastal or offshore, is extremely vulnerable to attack from below, and such attacks represent a significant threat to a region's energy supplies.

Sentinel's open-system architecture allows integration of the subsea security zone with conventional terrestrial security systems, including thermal imaging, radar and ground-sensing devices.