Dynamic Reliability Estimation for towed array sonars

• Published in: OCEANS 2022 - Chennai pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: V, Jojish Joseph, Peter, Rubin Jose, Ambat, Sooraj K
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 21.02.2022
• Subjects: Degradation; element failures; Maintenance engineering; Measurement; reliability; Schedules; Sea measurements; Sonar; Sonar measurements; Towed array sonars
• DOI: 10.1109/OCEANSChennai45887.2022.9775314

Towed array sonars are extensively used for antisubmarine warfare operations to detect and classify dived submarines. Towed arrays often have hundreds of hydrophones package in narrow tubes and towed at large distances from the deployment platform. Element failures are common on multiple deployments and will affect the figure of merit of the towed array sonar. An estimate on the present degradation in figure of merit due to channel failures and an estimate of the time for which an assured level of performance can be obtained from the sonar, are important parameters which add value to the user. This paper proposes a metric which can be measured in-situ and which gives a quantitative measure of the performance degradation experienced due to failures. We also propose a method to predict the future degradations in time from the degradation history so far using time series analysis methods. This method can be used to estimate reliable estimates of assured performance levels for the sonar in conditions of channel failures. The approach is elucidated with simulations and also some failure data collected from results obtained from sea trials of a developmental towed array. This approach would be useful to take informed decisions on towed array maintenance and replacement schedules.