Passive sensing with acoustics on the battlefield

This paper reports military uses of passive acoustic sensing. Physical phenomema and boundary conditions governing the use of acoustic sensors in military systems are discussed. Based on field work, realistic limits for various parameters are given. This enables the reader to understand design characteristics for acoustic sensor systems and to predict their performance under given conditions. A selection of advanced acoustic sensor systems for military use is presented along with the necessary background information. Since cost effectiveness and ease of operation are important advantages for military systems, acoustic sensing offers a considerable potential. No other sensing method can rival acoustic sensing in its unique capability to detect targets beyond line of sight while being passive and easily camouflaged.