Long range synthetic aperture imaging as a wide area search and rapid environmental assessment tool

The utility of high frequency synthetic aperture sonar as a tool for use in mine warfare and search and survey applications is becoming more established, following on from successful systems demonstrated by a number of commercial companies. Raytheon Applied Signal Technology has recently introduced a 60 kHz synthetic aperture sonar, extending this imaging capability out to much longer ranges. The system is capable of operating at ranges over a 3000 meter swath, providing both high resolution imagery and co-located bathymetry in water depths of up to 6000 meters. Being able to operate over these long ranges presents a game-changing capability for wide area search and rapid environmental assessment applications.