Research Summaries

Back Operational Internal Wave Prediction Validation and Impacts

Fiscal Year 2019
Division Research & Sponsored Programs
Department NPS Naval Research Program
Investigator(s) Reeder, Davis B.
Sponsor NPS Naval Research Program (Navy)
Summary ASW in the SCS is very challenging, particularly in the presence of large, episodic, nonlinear, internal solitary waves (ISW); operational predictions and acoustic impacts on manned and unmanned underwater vehicles by these features must be validated for fleet use.These very large ISWs are generated in the Luzon Strait, propagate westward to the continental shelf, have amplitudes typically exceeding 400 ft, and are generated twice per day during a 8-10 day period centered on the spring tide. Oceanographic research at NPS has demonstrated that these ISWs cause operational hazards and acoustic anomalies, affecting both passive and active DCLT. Some operational sonar impacts include intermittent TL anomalies and bearing errors, which vary with azimuth and depth. Operational ocean models may be capable of predicting the occurrence of these ISWs, but these models must be validated against in situ data collected during previous oceanographic field experiments. Operational impacts to manned and unmanned assets need to be identified, described and quantified.

Research Questions:
How well are these oceanographic features represented by predictive models?
How accurate are the predictions compared to in situ data?
What is the nature and extent of their impact on manned and unmanned assets?
What mitigating measures can be identified and disseminated to the fleet regarding these ISWs?

In collaboration with a thesis student in the USW and/or METOC curricula, we will analyze ocean model predictions at times and locations at which in situ data have been collected, compare and contrast model and data, assess accuracy and robustness, and estimate impacts of ISWs on manned and unmanned assets.

Deliverables from the project will include a semi-annual report and a final technical report to the Topic Sponsor. NRP administration will receive an executive summary, project poster and copies of all reports sent to the Topic Sponsor by the end of the project.
Keywords
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