An at-sea system for the prediction of underwater sound propagation

The WPA system was developed to aid in formulating and monitoring at-sea, underwater, acoustical measurement programs. The prototype system, constructed using a general-purpose digital computer, measures oceanographic data for use in an acoustic propagation model to predict sound propagation conditions in near-realtime at the test site. These acoustic predictions can then be used to selectively control test parameters, such as transducer orientations, to account for the effects of the ocean medium on acoustic propagation. This paper presents the system design and development. Results from several of the field programs in which the prototype system has participated are also presented.