hydroacoustics
Hydroacoustics is the branch of acoustics that studies the generation, propagation, and detection of sound waves in water. It encompasses both active techniques, where sound pulses are emitted and echoes are analyzed, and passive techniques, which monitor existing underwater noise sources. The field supports naval operations, scientific research, and commercial activities such as underwater navigation, communication, seabed mapping, and fisheries surveys.
Sound propagation in water is governed by the speed of sound, which is about 1500 meters per
Key instruments include hydrophones (underwater microphones) and transmitters (transducers) arranged in arrays for beamforming and directional
Applications span military and civilian contexts: submarine and contact detection, underwater navigation and communication, hydrographic surveying