A point mechanical model for the dynamics of towed arrays

A point mechanical model for towed arrays is developed. The equations of motion are calculated using the Lagrange formalism of classical mechanics. There are a lot of free parameters in the model, which is demonstrated in two examples. One example shows the bearing and depth of some points of the towed arrays as a function of time while the ship changes the course. In another example an optimal course is shown, which minimizes the curvature of the array.