Sonobuoy Overview

The sonobuoy is a transmitter-receiver that detects underwater sounds and transmits them to nearby aircraft using low-power VHF radio transmission. They are used as expendable, short-duration devices for the detection and localization of submarines.

Generally, sonobuoys can operate from a choice of 99 available radio channels. The major development in sonobuoy technology, occurring in 1984, was the increase from 31 to 99 channels. Although many systems still offer only 31...