Underwater Acoustic Reflection from Surfaces and Shapes

Acoustic Reflection from Surfaces and Shapes is a magnificent collection of mini-studies of underwater acoustic reflection and scattering, theoretical and experimental, from varied shapes and surfaces. These studies were carried out by the Acoustics Division at the Naval Research Laboratory during the period from 1958 through 1978 under the leadership of Dr. Werner G. Neubauer, with the assistance and guidance of Dr. Louis R Dragonette. The driving force for this research, of course, addressed the improvement of understanding of sound interacting with submarine targets with the ultimate goal being to improve detection of submarines by submarine and surface ship sonars. Accordingly, the varied shape and surface targets addressed in the studies were related to those of a submarine or sections thereof: cylinders, spheres, spheroids, ellipsoids and flat surfaces.

The book has 23 chapters, each a different study. Depending on the purpose of an individual study, the shapes and surfaces addressed were made of various materials; possessed various degrees of elasticity and rigidity; and had various internal volumes, from completely solid to various degrees of internal space. Echo reduction effectiveness of reflection-reduction coatings and absorbing and non-absorbing surfaces was also measured. And the forecited surface and shape targets were “painted” by steady state or transient acoustic signals as determined by the purpose of each individual study.

The seminal studies in this book can provide underwater acousticians and modelers with valuable qualitative and quantitative insights on the reflected signals, reverberation and noise returned from submarines that will eventually lead to feeding the sonar equation.