Submarine sonar experts at L-3 Chesapeake Sciences Corp. in Millersville, Md., will build additional TB-34X towed array sonar systems for U.S. Navy submarines under terms of a $9.6 million order. Officials of the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington are asking L-3 to provide TB-34X towed array assemblies and cable assemblies. The TB-34X is a submarine fat line towed array passive sonar receiver in the same form factor as the TB-34 array, yet it provides increased capability, reliability, and ability to resist the effects of obsolescence. The Navy’s TB-34 towed array is replacing the TB-16 legacy array, and provides enhancements to towing and self-noise characteristics compared to the TB-16. It provides more hydrophones than the TB-16 for future capability in passive sonar processing. The TB-34 towed array is one of several acoustic sensors that provide data to the Acoustics-Rapid Commercial Off-the-Shelf Insertion (A-RCI) sonar system installed on U.S. fast-attack, ballistic missile, and cruise missile submarines. The array is to provide improved capability for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and will help submarine crews avoid threats in cluttered undersea areas near coastal waters and harbors.
