Technologies for the Management of the Acoustic Signature of a Submarine

The stealth capability of a submarine differentiates it from other maritime platforms. The power plant for many submarines exceeds 1 Mega-Watt and the technical challenge is to reduce its acoustic signature to unperceivable levels. Novel vibration reduction technologies have been developed and tested at the University of Adelaide as part of a DSTO Capability Technology Demonstrator program that can reduce significantly the vibration from a submarine power-plant from reaching the hull, thereby reducing its acoustic signature. The noise radiated by the exhaust muffler attached to the power-plant can also be attenuated significantly by utilising a novel adaptive muffler system. This presentation will describe noise and vibration control technologies and methods that can be used to reduce the acoustic signature from a diesel engine power-plant.