A team of scientists from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China has made a significant breakthrough in submarine detection technology, potentially revolutionizing underwater surveillance.
This new form of detection, tested in the South China Sea, is said to extend the ability to detect even the quietest submarines over a considerable range—a feat once thought impossible.
Unlike traditional techniques hampered by the nature of seawater, this innovative device gathers electromagnetic signals from the seabed.
As submarine propellers cut through electric fields, they emit electromagnetic waves that are typically weakened by seawater.
However, these waves travel more effectively through seabed rock layers, maintaining strength over longer distances.
This approach, previously used in undersea oil and gas exploration but never for submarine detection, has shown promising results.
During testing, the detection system identified low-frequency electromagnetic signals at nearly 12 miles (20 km) away.
This marks a substantial improvement over previous technology that could only achieve detections over about 1.5 miles (2.5 km).
The device, resembling a large square-like pickup truck, uses antennas to capture the weak electromagnetic signals produced by submarine propellers.
By collecting these signals from the seabed, the detection range can be significantly extended due to the slower rate of signal weakening—0.278 decibels per mile in the seabed compared to seawater.
One notable challenge is dealing with the weak electromagnetic waves when they finally reach the seabed, amidst various electromagnetic noises.
To address this, the research team developed an advanced algorithm capable of isolating these extremely faint signals.
Accurate positioning also required multiple high-precision sensors spread over a wide area and synchronized with an error margin within a billionth of a second, making it quite challenging in deep-sea conditions.
This new technology holds immense promise for enhancing the detection of increasingly stealthy submarines, which are difficult to spot using traditional acoustic methods.
Equipped with instruments and battery compartments for long-term underwater operations and connected to a surface buoy, this system can also potentially track surface ships through their propeller wakes.
The development of this technology comes at a crucial time as underwater warfare becomes a focus for major military powers.
With submarines becoming quieter and more difficult to detect, both China and the United States are investing heavily in anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The findings from this research, published in the Journal of Vibration and Shock, highlight the potential of this new detection method, although challenges in signal isolation and accurate positioning remain.
This innovative approach may change the landscape of global submarine warfare, providing a substantial leap forward in underwater surveillance capabilities.