Reconstruction of sonar images using computerised tomography

A trials programme undertaken by the Defence Research Agency, Bincleaves, has collected high resolution sonar echoes from objects placed on a turntable. The availability of all round views of the objects allows a tomographic image to be reconstructed. The trials procedure is described and examples of echo data from a rock and a representative cylindrical ground mine presented. The way an image may be constructed using computerised tomography is then given in outline and images from the example data shown. Finally the extension of this technique to process data from a sonar which circumnavigates a sea-bed object is discussed