What is a tow array sonar and its advantage?

What is a tow array sonar and its advantage?

• A. A short-range hull-mounted active sonar.
• B. A compact, surface-only sonar.
• C. A long, deployed passive sonar system that reduces self-noise and extends detection range.
• D. A satellite-based acoustic beacon.

Answer: (C)

Tow array sonar is a long line of hydrophones towed behind a submarine or ship. It operates passively, listening for sounds in the water rather than emitting its own pings. The main advantage comes from two effects: first, being towed and placed away from the hull greatly reduces self-noise and vibration from the vessel, improving the signal-to-noise ratio for faint targets; second, the extended length acts like a large aperture, allowing effective beamforming that yields a narrow, highly sensitive listening pattern and thus a longer detection range. Because it’s passive, it also keeps the platform covert by not broadcasting sounds. This combination—long, deployed and passive, with reduced self-noise and extended detection capability—captures why this description fits tow array sonar.