
Wavefront’s Sentinel IDS® (Intruder Detection Sonar) has demonstrated further enhancements to its drone detection and tracking ability in the real world.
Two recent trials, conducted with Forcys and European and U.S. agencies, demonstrated successful combined active and passive tracking of medium and small drones.
In both defence and commercial applications, the ability to track small AUVs and UUVs is becoming ever more important and challenging – small drones being particularly challenging to detect and track due to their small physical presence, low acoustic signature, high speed and agility.
The trials for special forces on both sides of the Atlantic saw Sentinel IDS reliably detecting and tracking small drones, using its unique combination of simultaneous active and passive sonar.
The Simultaneous In-band Active and Passive Sonar capability SInAPS®, combines the very best that both tracking methods have to offer, by using the same acoustic array for both active and passive processing, simultaneously within the same operating band. This allows the tracking of targets that stand-alone active sonars would historically not be able to identify.
From the threats of terrorist attacks on Critical National Infrastructure or military and commercial ports, to the issues of criminal gangs interfering with ocean going vessels to conceal packages of drugs and contraband, the need to close the circle on underwater security is becoming ever more urgent.
Based on Wavefront’s patented technology Sentinel’s USP is that rather than offer active or passive detection, it offers both simultaneously. By doing so it has significantly increased the envelope of detection. In addition to its impressive drone tracking capabilities, Sentinel continues to be class leading at diver, XLUUV and SDV detection.
Sentinel also offers networked multi-head capability and super-inheritance®, which allows it to cover large and complex ports with multiple sonar heads combining to create a security perimeter around your asset.