Locating an underwater site of a nuclear explosion detected by a hydroacoustic network

Abstract

There is a need for this country to be able to assure itself that an international ban on nuclear testing can be made effective. This thesis studies one small portion of that problem - to wit, the procedure for classifying an underwater detonation which has vented and which has been detected. by a hydroacoustic network. A MEASURE OF EFFECTIVENESS is developed, and after a study or some parameters such as height or search, search spacing, search width and current movements optimizing search plans are deduced. One of the major difficulties in such a quantitative analysis is the non-deterministic nature of many-of the parameters. The.ideal search spacing was found to depend directly on the surface radioactive pool diameter. In order to develop plans this essential factor must be known. Unfortunately this depends on many variables over which the searcher has no control or knowledge. An averaging procedure is adopted and a factor established to compare spacings and determine which meets the. criterion dictated by the MEASURE OF EFFECTIVENESS. The writer wishes to express. his appreciation for the assistance given him by Professor H. E. Handler, Professor R. Read and Professor E. M. Ward for the assistance and encouragement given him by Professor W. P. Cunningham , and particularly to Professor E. J. Stewart for the kind and charitable way in which he made his time and advice available. Lastly, the writer wishes to thank Mrs. Martha Olson of U. S. Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory for making available hydrographic information compiled by her.