The use of active controls on underwater towed bodies
Abstract
A theoretical study has been made of the seabed terrain following ability of a towfish, fitted with a seabed sensing sonar and active controls. Single cable and twin cable (with depressor) configurations have been compared and the effects of wave induced towship motion have been included. The results indicate that satisfactory terrain following can be achieved, but that the anticipated advantages of the twin cable arrangement are not necessarily realised in practice because of motion coupling via depressor surge.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Underwater Vehicles and Communication Systems
Offshore Engineering and Technologies
Ship Hydrodynamics and Maneuverability
Publication details
- Journal / source
- CRC Press eBooks
- Pages
- 397–406
- Publication date
- 10 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter