Forward-based portable acoustic measurement system (FORMS)

This presentation describes a portable, fourth generation underwater acoustic Forward-based Measurement System (FORMS) developed by Carderock Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (CDNSWC). The hardware is two person portable and easily installed aboard most small craft. It consists of a computer, recorder, array interface box, cable, four hydrophones, an array suspension system, and a portable power generator. Each of the hardware components is a non-developmental item (NDI) which may be procured off-the-shelf. The suspension system design implemented effectively decouples the four hydrophone array from the surface in either the open ocean or littoral waters. FORMS uses sophisticated data acquisition and analysis software running under a real-time operating system. This system provides a versatile asset to comprehensively evaluate the acoustic signature of radiating platforms or biologics