Intruder Detection Sonar

Intruder Detection Sonars (IDS) are designed to detect, classify, and track unwanted or unauthorized divers, unmanned underwater vehicles and other subsea robotics, or surface swimmers and vehicles in restricted marine areas. 

Underwater detection systems are vital for the safety and security of ports, military bases, critical infrastructure, and a range of other important maritime locations. IDS modules can be deployed from surface vessels, placed on the seafloor, or secured on subsea structures.

The Sentinel IDS by Wavefront, an intruder detection sonar with advanced detection, tracking and classification capabilities

Underwater intruder detection devices emit and receive sound waves to detect objects, after which they analyze the reflected sound waves to identify the presence, size, speed, and type of intruder. 

The advanced signal processing algorithms the technology employs allows it to differentiate between potential threats and marine life or debris. This potential for false positives can be reduced through advanced data analysis utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, enhancing the accuracy of detection.

IDS not only enhance the security of ports, bases, and infrastructure against potential threats, but also act as a deterrent against attacks or intrusions occurring. Most subsea detection systems are easy to integrate into external and preexisting systems, and are flexible and scalable, with capabilities for covering specific high-risk areas or much larger zones.

Types of Intruder Detection Sonar

• Active Sonar: this sends out a wave of sound and detects echoes, making it effective for detecting objects at various depths and distances.
• Passive Sonar: detects sounds made by the intruders, allowing for stealthy monitoring of the subsea area to avoid alerting any potential threats.
• Side-scan and multi-beam sonar: these create more detailed images of the marine environment and of the intruder, aiding in classification.

Applications of Sonar Detection Systems

Military & Defense
Sonar detection systems are often used at naval facilities and maritime or coastal military bases, primarily to safeguard strategic assets like submarines and ships from sabotage.

Commercial Ports
Commercial ports also make use of IDS, protecting key infrastructure, cargo, and vessels from unauthorized or malicious contact.

Oil & Gas Platforms
In the case of oil and gas platforms, underwater detection devices are generally used as a measure to prevent tampering or attacks on the rigs and pipelines.

Critical Infrastructure
Similar to oil and gas platforms, critical subsea infrastructure in other industries can also utilize IDS, providing security for underwater pipelines, tunnels, cables, and other crucial structures.