Application of the seafloor flaky structure for navigation of undersea vehicles

This paper suggests a new method of navigation of an underwater vehicle using acoustic data. The known methods of making seafloor acoustic maps are not effective navigation in areas of smooth relief. The suggested method allows make maps using acoustic sectional view of the seafloor layers. The different areas of seafloor have acoustic layers of various sizes and geometric form - using this property allows make maps for navigation of an underwater vehicle in areas of smooth relief. When comparing structure of bottom layers in given point with its geographical coordinates, the location of undersea vehicle could be identified by way of processing of reflected from seabed layers the acoustic signal. Approximate structural scheme for implementation of the presented method of navigation is provided in the paper. The results of experimental observations obtained by applying device that was assembled according to proposed structural scheme for several plots of bottom in Zolotoy Rog Bay (Golden Horn Bay) as well, considered in the report.